Social Functions of Language in a Mexican-American Community is an inquiry into how language functions in the life of a bilingual minority group in process of cultural change, this study investigated the acculturation and assimilation of individuals of Mexican descent living in Tucson, Arizona. Specifically, the language usage and interpersonal relations of individuals from representative families in the bilingual community of Tucson, the usage of bilingual social groups in the community, and the linguistic and cultural contacts between bilinguals and members of the larger Tucson community were examined. Data were drawn from observational studies of individuals and families; observation of group activities; and observation of, supplemented by questionnaires on, the cultural interests of Mexican children and their families. Some conclusions of the study were that Spanish came to be identified in the Mexican community as the language of intimate and family relations, while English came to be identified as the language of formal social relations and of all relations with Anglos. It was also found that the younger American-born group reject both Spanish and English in favor of their own language, Pachuco. Tables depicting the characteristics of 20 families, the language usage of families, and the language usage in personal relationships of English and Spanish are included. Suggestions for further research are made.

Chicano English can rightly be said to be, in its different varieties, the most widespread ethnic dialect of U.S. English, spoken by large sections of the population in the American Southwest. It represents a type of speech referred to by E. Haugen as a bilingual dialect, having developed out of a stable Spanish-English setting. In their book, the authors provide a comprehensive examination of Chicano English, devoting particular emphasis to the social factors determining its characteristic features and uses. Special attention is given to the question of homogeneity as against ordered variation within Chicano English, to features of pronunciation and grammar, to its communicative functions, to the evaluative attitudes of its speakers and others and, finally, to its uses in literature and the media. In spite of its importance, Chicano English has been insufficiently documented; this monograph is intended to contribute towards redressing the balance.

This volume brings together a multiplicity of voices--both theoretical and practical--on the complex politics, challenges, and strategies of educating students--in North America and worldwide--who are speakers of diverse or nonstandard varieties of English, creoles, and hybrid varieties of English, such as African American Vernacular English, Caribbean Creole English, Tex Mex, West African Pidgin English, and Indian English, among others. The number of such students is increasing as a result of the spread of English, internal and global migration, and increased educational access. Dialects, Englishes, Creoles, and Education offers: *a sociohistorical perspective on language spread and variation; *analysis of related issues such as language attitudes, identities, and prescribed versus actual language use; and *practical suggestions for pedagogy. Pedagogical features: Key points at the beginning of each chapter help focus the reader and provide a framework for reading, writing, reflection, and discussion; chapter-end questions for discussion and reflective writing engage and challenge the ideas presented and encourage a range of approaches in dealing with language diversity. Collectively, the chapters in this volume invite educators, researchers, and students, across the fields of TESOL, applied linguistics, sociolinguistics, English, literacy, and language education, to begin to consider and adopt context-specific policies and practices that will improve the language development and academic performance of linguistically diverse students.

“This remains the fundamental base for studies of multilingual communities and language shift. Weinreich laid out the concepts, principles and issues that govern empirical work in this field, and it has not been replaced by any later general treatment.” Prof. Dr. William Labov, University of Pennsylvania, Department of Linguistics

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