Language Diversity in the USA CAMBRIDGE.pdf

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Language Diversity in the USA

What are the most widely spoken non-English languages in the USA? How did

they reach theUSA?Who speaks them, towhom, and for what purposes?What

changes do these languages undergo as they come into contact with English?

This book investigates the linguistic diversity of the USA by proﬁling the

twelvemost commonly used languages other than English. Each chapter paints

a portrait of the history, current demographics, community characteristics,

economic status, and language maintenance of each language group, and

looks ahead to the future of each language. The book challenges myths about

the “ofﬁcial” language of the USA, explores the degree to which today’s

immigrants are learning English and assimilating into the mainstream, and

discusses the relationship between linguistic diversity and national unity.

Written in a coherent and structured style, Language Diversity in the USA is

essential reading for students and researchers in sociolinguistics, bilingualism,

and education.

KIM POTOWSKI is Associate Professor of Hispanic Linguistics at the Univer-

sity of Illinois at Chicago. Her previous publications include Language and

Identity in a Dual Immersion School (2007).

Language Diversity in the USA

Edited by

Kim Potowski

University of Illinois at Chicago