| This study investigates the influences of social and demographic characteristics on inter- and intergenerational language loss within U.S. minority groups. Intergenerational language loss (or "mother tongue shift") is defined as occurring when children at risk of inheriting a non-English mother tongue acquire only English. Intragenerational language loss is defined as the outcome of the process of the increasing displacement of minority language usage by English usage. The process of intragenerational minority language displacement is summarized using three major transitions in patterns of English vis-a-vis minority language usage.;The results of the analysis show that adults' social and demographic characteristics influence the probabilities of acquiring English, of switching to English dominant bilingualism, and of becoming a monolingual English speaker. Minority group differences in intragenerational language displacement are largely attributable to group demographic attributes, and the social and demographic characteristics of the minority group members.;Concerning intergenerational language retention, the results show that children's background characteristics (parents' nativity, education, and whether the parents are of similar language background) are important factors underlying language loss. Once again, group differences in language loss are attributable to the social and demographic characteristics of the minority group members, and group demographic characteristics.;Together, the analysis of intra- and intergenerational language loss portend the continuing loss of non-English languages within the United States. As educational levels of minority populations rise, as generational status increases, the rates of both intragenerational language displacement and mother tongue shift increase.;The data are from the 1976 Survey of Income and Education. Using logistic response models, the influences of characteristics such as nativity and education on the probabilities of non-English mother tongue adults completing each of the transitions in language usage, and of children inheriting a non-English mother tongue are investigated. In addition, the effects of group demographic characteristics (e.g., size, regional segregation and linguistic composition) on language loss are assessed. |
