Socioeconomic Constraints to the Spread of Spanish in the United States

Abstract

This article analyzes the market mechanisms and institutional constraints
that shape the evaluation and social spread of Spanish in El
Paso, Texas, USA (located on the US-Mexico border). The results are
presented through an analysis of labor sectors that have different main
characteristics in the linguistic intensity of work and product. Based on
in-depth interviews, the study fi nds that linguistic management policies
in low-skilled sectors are effectively «Spanish-only». However, as skills
increase and there is a greater need for formal Spanish in the occupational
role, we observe more constraints on how Spanish functions in work
use. In sectors where demand for Spanish language skills has grown,
such as call centers, linguistic management is based on acculturated
heritage Spanish as a means to obtain cheap labor.