Hispanic American Language

Hispanics in the United States have significantly contributed to much of our society’s customs and culture for many centuries. Ranging from politics, public service, military, business, science, organized sports to even the entertainment industry, you can find their mark universally if you take a closer look. It is quite a wonder as to the many historians whom have not acknowledged Hispanics’ impact on history, as they are just as intricate within America’s history as any other race or nationality (Contributions of, 2008).

Mexican Americans consist of the most prevalent Hispanic group within the United States. Their history has covered over four centuries within America, contrasting in different regions. In such states as California, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and Nevada, great amounts of Mexican Americans subsist there. (Mexican Americans, 2007).

Mexican Americans, though they live in the United States, generally converse in their own native language. Spanish is usually the solitary language that they use at home amongst family and/or even friends, but in the general community, English is the universally unrestricted language. As the generations have passed on, a new verbal communication has emerged, called Spanglish, which is a blend of both Spanish and American.

America has been tough on Mexican Americans. The citizens had a hard time elevating their financial and social status in this country, as they were judged by color of their skin. However, color should not demonstrate a person’s social status, but the content of their character. These people are slowly emerging and breaking social barriers.

The Chicano Movement changed Mexican Americans’ lives in the United States’ economy. It was a movement that secured these people in the economy with civil rights and economic opportunity. They used tactics such as civil disobedience as an influential way to make it known that “changes” were inevitable. Marches, hunger strikes, and litigation were methods that they used.

On the other hand, the Chicano Movement also sparked a political consciousness in the communityвЂ"something that had never been experienced before by the community.

A significant number of Mexican Americans are Roman Catholic, as it is a central institution within their culture. Their religious beliefs influence their perceptions on an array of areas in their life, including view on sex, education, and politics.

The structure of a Mexican American family is one of which originally was “traditional” where the mother was at home and the father went to work. However, this has undergone a drastic change within the last thirty or so years as both parents have begun to be the head of the household. The home is usually the focal point of family life.

Puerto Ricans are the second largest groups of Hispanics within the United States, largely in New Jersey and New York. They are not considered foreign immigrants, since they are technically American citizens (Puerto Rican, 2008).

They do not have what is known as a “proper language”, whereas instead, they have what is better referred to as Castilian Spanish. They differ from other Spanish-speaking groups in the sense that their pronunciation of the language is dissimilar than others.

The people are generally racially and ethnically diverse, and recognize racial variance amongst themselves. Because of this, they do have social classification of each other, but generally refer to themselves as “Negro" in the sense that everyone is of color. It has no racial connotation behind it, as it does it other terms.

Many Puerto Ricans are eligible for benefits here in America, since Puerto Rico is a United States commonwealth. However, many feel that because they are eligible for benefits in welfare programs, it keeps this group of people within a cycle of poverty. The general population that is not on welfare tends to work in the industries around New York and New Jersey.

There is a split difference within the Puerto Rican community as to political views. There are those that 4belong to the United States’ association, whereas there are those with radical views who are pushing for Puerto Rico’s independence from America.

Most Puerto Ricans are generally Roman Catholic as well. It originated with the Catholic missionaries that were established in Puerto Rico some 400 years ago. However, within recent years, it is reported that only 70% of the people consider themselves Catholic, while the majority of the remaining group consider themselves Protestant.

Traditionally, the fathers and husbands are seen as the head of the households. The sons have a responsibility of taking care of the “womenfolk”, especially their younger sisters. This is a highly placed value amongst the families, just as showing respect to elders is just as important. They generally have extended families in the sense that households usually consist of large, extensive family members.

Cuban Americans consist of the third chief assembly of Hispanics within the United States. Most Cuban Americans were born in Cuba, but moved to America as a result of Fidel Castro’s communist dictatorship (Cuban Americans, 2008).

The older generations continue to carry on their prominent language of Cuban, but it is the younger generations who have started to break away from their cultural histories. Generally, unlike their parents