Like many Americans, the 2016 election results left me in a state of shock. Just days after giving birth to my daughter, the news that Donald Trump was on the path to the presidency was unsettling. I had envisioned my daughter entering a world where Hillary Clinton would be the first female president. Instead, her arrival coincided with the election of a leader whose campaign rhetoric often marginalized immigrant communities and promoted an “English-only” ideology. This perspective, however, overlooks a crucial aspect of American history and identity: the enduring presence and significance of the Spanish language.
My daughter’s heritage, like that of millions of Latinos in the U.S., is deeply intertwined with a history that began centuries ago with Spanish exploration. This history is frequently overshadowed by more Anglo-centric narratives. Yet, to dismiss Spanish as a foreign language in the United States is to ignore a reality that is both historical and contemporary. When then-candidate Donald Trump questioned Jeb Bush for speaking Spanish, stating, “This is a country where we speak English, not Spanish,” during a televised debate, he tapped into a sentiment that is historically inaccurate and culturally insensitive.
Alt text: A close-up image shows a red “Make America Great Again” baseball cap, a prominent symbol from Donald Trump’s presidential campaigns, resting on a neutral surface.
The Deep Roots of Spanish in America
Trump’s remark, as reported by Shane Goldmacher in Politico, targeted Jeb Bush’s use of Spanish on the campaign trail. It’s important to remember that Bush, married to a Mexican woman and a former governor of Florida, comes from a state with deep Spanish roots. Spanish explorers arrived in Florida in the early 16th century, establishing St. Augustine in 1565 – the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in the continental United States. This predates the English settlement at Jamestown by over four decades.
Furthermore, vast portions of what is now the United States, including the entire Southwest, were part of Spain and later Mexico for centuries, longer than they have been part of the U.S. Spanish has been spoken continuously in these regions since the time of European colonization. The arrival of waves of immigrants from Mexico and Latin America has only reinforced the language’s presence. According to the Pew Research Center, nearly one in eight Americans speaks Spanish, totaling over 37 million people. This significant demographic presence makes the question “Why Is That In Spanish?” less about foreignness and more about acknowledging the diverse linguistic landscape of the United States.
Challenging the “English-Only” Narrative
Trump’s statement, and the broader “English-only” movement, disregards historical context and cultural reality. By asserting “we speak English,” it creates a divisive “us vs. them” mentality. This rhetoric echoes a long-standing conservative theme of a “real America” under threat from outsiders, often scapegoating marginalized groups. Blaming Spanish, a language spoken by millions of American citizens and deeply embedded in the nation’s history, is a convenient way to exploit these divisions.
The “English-only” ideology argues that English should be the unifying language of the nation and that expecting accommodations for non-English speakers is unreasonable. Groups like U.S. English Inc. lobby for English to be declared the official language, claiming that English is “under attack” and that immigrants are failing to learn “America’s language, customs, and culture.” However, the U.S. has no official language at the federal level. The dominance of English is undeniable, both nationally and globally, yet this dominance should not come at the expense of marginalizing other languages and the communities that speak them.
The assertion that immigrants are refusing to learn English is not supported by reality. Immigrants have strong incentives to learn English for economic and social integration. Many, like my own parents, strive to learn English but face significant challenges. My mother, despite years of English classes, never achieved fluency. This isn’t due to a lack of intelligence or effort, but rather the complex nature of language acquisition, especially later in life. For some, learning a new language is simply a considerable hurdle, and this struggle should not be misconstrued as a rejection of American values.
Bilingualism as an American Strength
My own bilingualism, born from the necessity of communicating with my Spanish-speaking parents, became a valuable asset. Growing up navigating two languages, I understood the inherent value of multilingualism. Yet, for many children from Spanish-speaking homes, their native language is often viewed as a deficit in schools, something to be remedied rather than celebrated.
Fortunately, attitudes are shifting. California’s Proposition 58, passed by voters, including myself, marked a move away from “English-only” education and towards re-introducing bilingual education programs. The outdated idea that mastering English precludes learning another language is being challenged. Bilingualism is increasingly recognized as a cognitive and social benefit. Research highlights numerous advantages, including improved attention, empathy, reading skills, and even protection against cognitive decline. This growing appreciation for bilingualism reflects a broader understanding of the diverse and multilingual nature of American society.
My personal experience learning French, despite my Spanish background, further reinforced the privilege of early bilingualism. While my Spanish fluency provided a foundation, mastering French still required significant effort. This experience underscored the natural ease and depth of my Spanish language skills, a heritage I deeply value.
Embracing a Multilingual Future
When my daughter was born, my mother’s joyous announcement, “Esta niña si va hablar Español,” (This girl will speak Spanish) was a declaration of intent. My husband and I are committed to raising our daughter bilingually, understanding the effort it will require. While English acquisition is almost inevitable in the U.S., embracing and maintaining Spanish is a conscious choice. We believe that raising a bilingual child is not just about SAT scores, but about connecting her to a rich heritage and recognizing Spanish as an integral part of American history and identity.
In a nation grappling with division and intolerance, recognizing and celebrating linguistic diversity is more important than ever. Spanish is not a foreign language in the United States; it is woven into the fabric of our history, culture, and communities. To ask “Why is that in Spanish?” is to invite a conversation about the true, multilingual nature of America and to challenge narrow, exclusionary definitions of American identity. En América, sí hablamos Español.
