It seems as if we have been talking about bilingualism in the United States for a long time. It is a subject that I always brought up in my class on the history of the English language--both to stimulate students to consider the matter and also to test their reaction to the concept.
A strange thing has happened since relocating to Central Texas late last year. All of a sudden, it seems, bilingualism has occurred--or at least it is occurring. There are many Hispanics in Texas, but then there were many Hispanics in Connecticut as well. Hispanics in the Northeast are primarily from Puerto Rico and Caribbean countries; Texas Hispanics for the most part have migrated from Mexico and Central America. Recognition of Spanish as the primary language of many citizens in Connecticut were few. In Central Texas there are many. Signs in public places are often in both English and Spanish; telephone menus invariably offer the option of proceeding in English or Spanish.
It is encouraging to observe that the creeping bilingualism is neither awkward nor controversial, and no one mentions it--except newcomers like yours truly, intent on noticing everything that differs from life as it was previously experienced.
A strange thing has happened since relocating to Central Texas late last year. All of a sudden, it seems, bilingualism has occurred--or at least it is occurring. There are many Hispanics in Texas, but then there were many Hispanics in Connecticut as well. Hispanics in the Northeast are primarily from Puerto Rico and Caribbean countries; Texas Hispanics for the most part have migrated from Mexico and Central America. Recognition of Spanish as the primary language of many citizens in Connecticut were few. In Central Texas there are many. Signs in public places are often in both English and Spanish; telephone menus invariably offer the option of proceeding in English or Spanish.
It is encouraging to observe that the creeping bilingualism is neither awkward nor controversial, and no one mentions it--except newcomers like yours truly, intent on noticing everything that differs from life as it was previously experienced.
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