Hispanics - primary langugage use in the U.S. in 2011

This statistic shows the results of a 2011 survey on the primary langugage use of Hispanics in the United States by generation. 69 percent of respondents from the third or higher generation can be categorized as english dominant regarding their primary language use. English-dominant persons are more proficient in English than in Spanish.

Primary language use among Hispanics in the United States in 2011, by generation

Characteristic	Spanish dominant	Bilingual	English dominant
First generation	61%	33%	6%
Second generation	8%	53%	40%
Third and higher generation	1%	29%	69%

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Release date

April 2012

More information

Region

United States

Survey time period

November 9 to December 7, 2011

Number of respondents

1,220 respondents

Age group

8-19 years

Special properties

Hispanic adults

Method of interview

Telephone interview

Supplementary notes

“First generation” refers to foreign-born people.
“Second generation” refers to people born in the United States, with at least one first-generation parent.
“Third and higher generation” refers to people born in the United States, with both parents born in the United States.
Language dominance is a composite measure based on self-described assessments of speaking and reading abilities. “Spanish-dominant” persons are more proficient in Spanish than in English, i.e., they speak and read Spanish “very well” or “pretty well” but rate their ability to speak and read English lower. “Bilingual” refers to persons who are proficient in both English and Spanish. “English-dominant” persons are more proficient in English than in Spanish.

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