About bilingualism - hispanos de segunda generación que viven en Estados Unidos - TA: second generation hispanics that live in the United States - Editorial

Hispanic Times Magazine, Oct-Nov, 1997 by Janey Margarita Rifkin

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Much of an entire generation of Hispanic Americans -- my generation -- were advised by their parents -- "You have to compete in an English speaking society; therefore it is essential to master the English language."

Does this sound familiar?

The premise was correct, and we followed this sage advice. However, in so doing, many of us ignored and forgot the language of our ancestors' heritage.

Second and third generation Hispanics living in America are generally aculturated, and fluent in English. But many hundreds of thousands of them have long since forgotten, if indeed they ever knew, how to communicate the written and spoken word in Spanish.

This is a great loss! While English is still certainly the key to success for making it in America, now it turns out that being bilingual can open even more doors. So, teach your children to speak English and stress it's importance in attaining the American dream -- but don't sacrifice Spanish in the process. Just as millions of Spanish-speaking people have immigrated to this country, so the beautiful culture and language which they brought with them to this America has impacted the lives of all Americans. With pride of heritage -- we expound the multiple values of bilingualism.