Spanish not a threat to English in the US(26620)-英语教育-(54)-21英语网

本文作者： AGENCIES

　　美国一项最新调查研究表明，尽管美国外来移民人数众多，但这并不会威胁英语作为美国主导语言的地位。这项研究对认为拉美移民能够独自形成双语社会因而会改变美国文化的观点进行了反驳。

　　THE English language is not an endangered species in the United States, despite an influx of immigrants, according to a new study published by American sociology professors.

　　The study counters popular arguments that the size of Latino immigration to the US could create a bilingual society and a fundamental change in American culture.

　　Researchers from the University of California and Princeton University found that third-generation Americans are rarely fluent in their immigrant ancestors' native tongue.

　　"Even in the nation's largest Spanish-speaking enclave, within a border region that historically belonged to Mexico, Spanish appears to be well on the way to a natural death by the third generation of US residence,'' the researchers said in the paper, published in the September issue of the journal "Population and Development Review".

　　The paper suggests that Mexican immigrants arriving in Southern California today can expect only five out of every 100 of their great-grandchildren to speak fluent Spanish.

　　The authors of the paper use survey data from 2001-2004 to show that Latinos are becoming English speakers with each successive generation, just as in previous immigration waves in US history.

　　"If there's one thing that can come out of our study, it's, 'Relax, there's nothing to fear,'" said Ruben Rumbaut, a professor of sociology at the University of California.

　　"People worried when the Italians and the Jews came to New York and when the Irish came before them. But the fact of the matter is that English is not threatened in the United States today or in the world."

　　School districts across the nation, especially those in border states, find themselves in a tricky situation. On one hand, the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 pushes immigrant children to learn English as fast as they can. At the same time, businesses struggling to compete internationally want bilingual employees.

　　"No one's saying that language preservation is not a noble goal," said Don Soifer, an education analyst at the conservative Lexington Institute, which supports immersing immigrant children in English-only classes. "The problem is when it comes at the expense of these kids' only opportunity to learn English."

　　