The 2016 U.S. presidential election results were a shock for many, coinciding with the birth of my daughter. While I had envisioned my daughter entering a world with the first female president, she was born into a nation grappling with a leader who espoused English-only ideologies and blamed immigrants for economic hardship. As a new mother, these views were particularly troubling, given my daughter’s rich Latino heritage, a heritage rooted in the very foundation of the United States.
During his campaign, Donald Trump famously stated, “This is a country where we speak English, not Spanish,” directed at his then-opponent Jeb Bush, who often spoke Spanish on the campaign trail. This statement disregards the historical reality of Spanish in the U.S. Long before English dominated, Spanish explorers were the first Europeans to set foot on American soil, establishing St. Augustine, Florida, the first permanent European settlement, in the early 1500s. The Southwest, a significant portion of the U.S., was part of Spain and Mexico for a longer period than it has been part of the United States.
Why Spanish Matters: History, Culture, and Demographics
Spanish has been continuously spoken in the U.S. for centuries. Waves of immigrants from Latin America have enriched and sustained the language, making it an integral part of the American cultural fabric. According to the Pew Research Center, nearly one in eight Americans speaks Spanish, totaling over 37 million people. These numbers highlight the absurdity of criticizing any politician for engaging with a significant portion of the electorate in their native language.
Trump’s rhetoric, however, promotes a divisive “us vs. them” narrative, ignoring historical context and cultural relevance. His “Make America Great Again” campaign tapped into anxieties about job losses and economic decline, often scapegoating immigrants, particularly those from Mexico. This rhetoric fuels the decades-old “English-only” movement, which, under the guise of promoting unity, often masks xenophobic sentiments and undermines civil liberties.
The “English Only” Movement: A Deeper Look
The U.S. does not have an official language. Yet, organizations like U.S. English Inc. lobby for legislation to establish English as the official language, claiming English is “under attack.” They argue that making English official would encourage immigrants to learn the language and participate in civic life. However, this argument overlooks the reality that English is already the dominant language in the U.S. and that immigrants have numerous incentives to learn English for economic and social integration.
Why Learning Spanish is Essential
For many immigrants, learning English is a necessity for survival and advancement. Personal experiences with my own parents, who faced challenges due to limited English proficiency, underscore the inherent drive to learn the language. While they faced discrimination and difficulties, they never stopped striving to communicate and integrate.
My own upbringing in a bilingual household highlighted the importance and challenges of language acquisition. While my siblings and I easily transitioned into English-speaking classrooms, my mother struggled with English despite years of effort. This experience demonstrated that language learning is complex and not simply a matter of willpower. It also instilled in me a deep appreciation for the right to speak any language, a fundamental freedom in a diverse society.
The Bilingual Advantage: A Shift in Perspective
Growing up bilingual was a necessity, allowing me to communicate with my Spanish-speaking parents. This early exposure to two languages fostered a natural ability to switch between them effortlessly. However, in the U.S. education system, bilingualism has often been viewed as a deficit rather than an asset.
Fortunately, perspectives are changing. Recent research emphasizes the cognitive benefits of bilingualism, including improved attention, empathy, reading skills, and protection against cognitive decline. California’s Proposition 58, which reintroduced bilingual education, reflects this evolving understanding. My own experience learning French later in life reinforced the value of early language acquisition. While my existing Spanish knowledge facilitated learning French grammar, achieving fluency required significant effort. This underscored the advantages of acquiring languages early in life.
Embracing Spanish: A Personal and National Imperative
As a mother, I am determined to raise my daughter to be bilingual. We surround her with Spanish-language books and plan to enroll her in a bilingual school. While English acquisition is almost inevitable in the U.S., actively embracing Spanish is a conscious choice. My hope is that she will not only become fluent but also understand the historical and cultural significance of Spanish in the U.S.
Spanish is not a foreign language in America; it’s an intrinsic part of the nation’s identity, woven into its history and spoken by millions. It’s time to reject divisive narratives that diminish the value of Spanish and embrace the rich linguistic tapestry that makes America unique. En América, sí hablamos Español.
