by Ann Nelson-Russell

Created on: September 13, 2008

Immigration, cultural differences, mixed feelings, and language barriers have always been part of life in the United States of America. However, the steady stream of Spanish speaking immigrants, many arriving from Mexico, are affecting the foundation of the English language in our country. For the first time in history, the native born English speaking citizens are being put in a situation that requires an adaptation to a different language. The Spanish language is being forced upon America. The longstanding primary usage of the English language is rapidly shifting toward an unwanted dialect of a language that requires an ability to roll and vibrate the tongue against the roof of one's mouth to roll the words out properly.

In the last 200 years immigrants have chosen to make America their home. Some proceeded with caution and were slow to adapt to the English language and culture. History affirms that the Germans attempted to hold on to their traditions and customs as they migrated to this country. They had their own schools, spoke their native language, and for a short time they held fast together in their close society. But it wasn't long before their lives began to weave into the mainstream of society. They began to speak English and became accustomed to life in America. The American people were not expected to learn the German language. The Germans understood that if they wanted to secure their foothold and embrace the opportunities that America offered then they were the ones to adopt the American ways. Of course that did not mean that they did not enhance the communities that they lived in. They shared their customs, stories, recipes, labor and skill sets.

The immigrants of the current time are not like those we have encountered in the past century or more. Today America has an over abundance of Spanish speaking immigrants. The United States Latino population has increased by 58% in a ten year time span between 1990 and 2000. Those figures represent a ratio of one Latino for every 8 Americans. Latinos are now the largest minority in the country. The percentage number varies according to sources, but it is estimated that in the next 10-12 years the Latino population will rise to about 17 percent. With the steady flow of migration to the United States, it should be noted that 17 percent is a conservative estimate (Lopez, 2005).

The continued growth of the Hispanic population is having a significant impact on the spoken language in the town and cities across

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