| This thesis explores the role of language expectations on English-dominant Mexican-Americans' ethnic identity and cultural orientation. Ting-Toomey's (2005) identity negotiation theory (INT), Torres and Phelps (1997) bicultural orientation model (BOM), and Anguiano and Castaneda's (2014) Latino Critical Communication Theory (LatComm) guided a thematic analysis of qualitative interview data with 9 English-dominant Mexican-Americans. The findings suggest that English-dominant Mexican-Americans face ethnic identity challenges from Spanish-speaking Latina/os when the inability speak Spanish is uncovered. My interpretation of participants' responses suggests that they encounter INT's identity group differentiation, feelings of ethnic group exclusion, when Spanish-speaking Latina/os challenge their ethnic identity. Participants' responses exemplify the BOM's Anglo orientation, high acculturation and low ethnic identity. Participants reported experiences of racial discrimination, barriers to Spanish fluency, and motivations to learn Spanish later in life. The final chapter discusses findings, contributions, limitations, and suggestions for future research. |
