Is Spanish as a Heritage Language in the US Endangered

Abstract

Spanish in the United States is a heritage language spoken by the largest minority group. It finds itself in a permanent diglossia situation with the more dominant English language and plays a subordinate role in the linguistic landscape. In spite of a noticeable increase in enrollment in Spanish language classes in higher institutions of learning, as well as a growing interest in Hispanic language and culture, data reveal a gradual loss in Spanish retention in the third generation of US born young Latinos/Hispanics. The conclusion is that since Spanish in the United States is already confronted with the “three generation-pattern” or “three generation rule in the third generation of Latino/Hispanic children born in the U.S., it can be said that Spanish as a heritage language in the United States is endangered.