Third-generation Hispanics speak English, study shows

Study says their language progress similar to previous immigrant groups

By Berny Morson, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published November 29, 2007 at 1:01 p.m.
Updated November 29, 2007 at 1:01 p.m.

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Hispanics are following previous waves of immigrants in becoming predominantly English-speaking by the third generation, according to a study released today by the Pew Hispanic Center.

The four-year-study of more than 14,000 native and foreign-born Hispanics found that among the grandchildren of immigrants, 94 percent report the ability to speak English "very well," and another 3 percent say they speak "pretty well."

"It's safe to call that universal," said D'Vera Cohn, a co-author of the report.

The study by the Washington, D.C.-based think tank didn't include specific comparisons with previous immigrant groups.

But the pattern of English becoming the main language for the third generation in the United states appears consistent with what is known about groups that arrived a century ago, Cohn said.

The study defines the first generation as those who were born in another country. The second-generation refers to people born in this country who have at least one foreign-born parent. The third generation has at least one foreign-born grandparent.

The study found that even first generation Hispanics succeed in learning English if they arrive early enough. Among those who came by age 10, 76 percent say they speak English very well.

The study makes no recommendations about the issues of immigration and assimilation. The intention is to provide "some hard data to inform people about the issue," Cohn said.

Respondents were interviewed by phone in Spanish or English. Data were reported for six groups, Cubans, Dominicans, Central Americans, Mexicans, Puerto Ricans and South Americans.

• November 29, 2007

  1:05 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  ladida writes:

  What about illegal immigrants...when do they start to speak English?

• November 29, 2007

  3:14 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  timeandagain writes:

  When do European or Asian immigrants begin speaking English? They certainly do not wait until the 3rd generation! That is a sad and alarming statistic...

• November 29, 2007

  3:16 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  kz writes:

  3 generations, I don't think it took past immigrants that long. My maternal grandmother came her from France in 1906 and learned to speak prefect english. My paternal grandparents both immigrated from Germany and they also spoke perfect english. I think the current hispanic generation is just slightly lazy, there are so many opportunties to learn english for free but they won't take advantage of it. I deal with interpreters all day that the state or an employer pay for to work with their employees.

• November 29, 2007

  3:34 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  MrJim writes:

  So if it is the same as it has been for generations of immigrants, why now must we print ballots in spanish? Did we use to print them in German? French? Italian?

  Why do schools now seem to need to spend tax $$ on duplication of publications, one in English, one in Spanish?

  Did I ever use to have to Press '1' to not proceed in German?

  If nothing has changed in terms of assimilation, why does everything have to be done in Spanish now?

  Sounds to me more like this was a poll vs. an actual study, if it was based on just calling/sampling, even if it was over 4 years.

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