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Article
An Analysis of Attitudes toward Spanish as Expressed in US English Update
Southwest Journal of Linguistics
  • Shaw N. Gynan, Western Washington University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-1993
Keywords
  • US ENGLISH Update,
  • Language attitudes
Disciplines
Abstract

An analysis of the content of the first ten years of the primary publication of the US ENGLISH organization, US ENGLISH Update, reveals that the main focus of the group is restriction of use of the Spanish language in the United States. This policy objective has its roots in language attitudes based on impressions and hearsay. US ENGLISH asserts that many US Spanish-speakers are not willing to learn English, for which bilingual education is singled out as a significant cause. US ENGLISH claims to support only constituency- and state-benefit-based language policies, but the ulterior goal that emerges is the elimination of ad hoc clientele-based language policy that serves Spanish-speakers of limited English proficiency. It is clear that, ultimately, some individuals associated with the organization wish to reduce the public use of Spanish, since that verbal behavior is what has lead them to become anxious about the status of English.

Subjects - Topical (LCSH)
Spanish language--Study and teaching--United States; Language policy--United States--Public opinion; Education, Bilingual--Unites States--Public opinion
Subjects - Names (LCNAF)
U.S.ENGLISH (Organization)
Geographic Coverage
United States
Genre/Form
articles
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Citation Information
Shaw N. Gynan. "An Analysis of Attitudes toward Spanish as Expressed in US English Update" Southwest Journal of Linguistics Vol. 12 Iss. 1 (1993) p. 1 - 38
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/shaw_gynan/14/