Chicano English

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the origins, history, and evolution of Chicano English, described as a new and unique American dialect. The paper describes how the linguistic heritage of Chicano English, combined with unique phonetic qualities gave birth to a dialect which is directly descended from the immigrant experience. The paper concludes that the tapestry of forms ranging from the Spanish of the Ranchero experience, blended with the Americanization of the industrial revolution, and the modern urban experience all helped to create the amalgamation that is the Chicano dialect.

From the Paper:

"A new foreword vision of prosperity was realized within the Mexican culture. Mexican immigrants desired to become integrated into American culture. This aspiration ultimately resulted in Hispanic participation in unions. "Additional evidence of this Americanization process was in the increased involvement in labor unions, especially the steel unions in the late 1930s, by Mexicans who participated not as Mexicans, but as American industrial workers". Obviously this type of integration into mainstream American culture would demand and that these first-generation Spanish speakers acquire Standard English in order to assimilate."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Farr, Marcia. Rancheros in Chicagoacan. Language and Identity in a Transnational Community. Austin, Texas. University of Texas Press.2006.
• Fishman, Joshua. Handbook of Language and Ethnic Identity. New York: Oxford Press. 1999.
• Fought, Carmen. Language and Ethnicity. New York: Cambridge Press. 2006.
• Galindo, Lettcia and Gonzales, Dolores. ed. Speaking Chicana. Voice, Power, and Identity. Tucson, Arizona. The University of Arizona Press.1999.
• Zentella, Ana Celia. ed. Building on Strength. Language and Literacy in Latino Families and Communities. New York. Teachers College Press. 2005.

More papers on Chicano English:

• Research Paper # 4334 : "Chicano Studies"
• Essay # 137293 : "Broken English Can Lead to Disrespect"
• Analytical Essay # 53278 : "Tex-Mex"

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