How second- and third-generation Latinos are reclaiming the Spanish language

There is a resurgence in Latin Americans reclaiming their heritage language, the language spoken at home that’s different from the dominant language of the country. At the time, Mangurian said, her family members and other immigrants were trying to make sure their children were very “American,” which, to them, meant “speaking English only.” For some Latin Americans, like Mangurian, not being fluent in their family’s heritage language — the language spoken in the home that’s different from the dominant language in the country — hinders but doesn’t sever their connection to their culture. The human development and family science departments of Oklahoma State and Iowa State universities published a study in 2021 calling this type of loss among second- and third-generation immigrants “shared language erosion.” That’s the process of adolescents improving their English-language skills while simultaneously losing or failing to develop their heritage language; at the same time, their parents acquire English at a much slower rate. There are 62.1 million Latinos in the U.S., says David Hayes-Bautista, director of the Center for the Study of Latino Health and Culture at UCLA, “which means there are 62.1 million ways of experiencing being Latino.” How language affects identity and mental health Though the lack of Spanish fluency is common among second- and third-generation Latinos, it can often result in teasing by family and friends. “One of our favorite quotes from one of our students is, ‘Come to learn this language and stay for the group therapy,’” Rodriguez said.