About the book
\"A [book] rich in detail and analysis, which anyone wanting to understand the language debate in Puerto Rico will find essential.\"--Arlene Davila, Syracuse University This is the first book in English to analyze the controversial language policies passed by the Puerto Rican government in the 1990s. It is also the first to explore the connections between language and cultural identity and politics on the Caribbean island. Shortly after the U.S. invasion of Puerto Rico in 1898, both English and Spanish became official languages of the territory. In 1991, the Puerto Rican government abolished bilingualism, claiming that \"Spanish only\" was necessary to protect the culture from North American influences. A few years later bilingualism was restored and English was promoted in public schools, with supporters asserting that the dual languages symbolized the island’s commitment to live in harmony with the United States. While the islanders’ sense of ethnic pride was growing, economic dependency enticed them to maintain close ties to the United States. This book shows that officials in both San Juan and Washington, along with English-first groups, used the language laws as weapons in the battle over U.S.-Puerto Rican relations and the volatile debate over statehood. It will be of interest to linguists, political scientists, students of contemporary cultural politics, and political activists in discussions of nationalism in multilingual communities.
Editions of The Politics of Language in Puerto Rico
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780813020778
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780813064079
- EBook
- ISBN 9780813063829
Read an Excerpt
\"A [book] rich in detail and analysis, which anyone wanting to understand the language debate in Puerto Rico will find essential.\"--Arlene Davila, Syracuse University This is the first book in English to analyze the controversial language policies passed by the Puerto Rican government in the 1990s. It is also the first to explore the connections between language and cultural identity and politics on the Caribbean island. Shortly after the U.S. invasion of Puerto Rico in 1898, both English and Spanish became official languages of the territory. In 1991, the Puerto Rican government abolished bilingualism, claiming that \"Spanish only\" was necessary to protect the culture from North American influences. A few years later bilingualism was restored and English was promoted in public schools, with supporters asserting that the dual languages symbolized the island’s commitment to live in harmony with the United States. While the islanders’ sense of ethnic pride was growing, economic dependency enticed them to maintain close ties to the United States. This book shows that officials in both San Juan and Washington, along with English-first groups, used the language laws as weapons in the battle over U.S.-Puerto Rican relations and the volatile debate over statehood. It will be of interest to linguists, political scientists, students of contemporary cultural politics, and political activists in discussions of nationalism in multilingual communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Politics of Language in Puerto Rico about?
\"A [book] rich in detail and analysis, which anyone wanting to understand the language debate in Puerto Rico will find essential.\"--Arlene Davila, Syracuse University This is the first book in English to analyze the controversial language policies passed by the Puerto Rican government in the 1990s. It is also the first to explore the connections between language and cultural identity and politics on the Caribbean island. Shortly after the U.S. invasion of Puerto Rico in 1898, both English and Spanish became official languages of the territory. In 1991, the Puerto Rican government abolished bilingualism, claiming that \"Spanish only\" was necessary to protect the culture from North American influences. A few years later bilingualism was restored and English was promoted in public schools, with supporters asserting that the dual languages symbolized the island’s commitment to live in harmony with the United States. While the islanders’ sense of ethnic pride was growing, economic dependency enticed them to maintain close ties to the United States. This book shows that officials in both San Juan and Washington, along with English-first groups, used the language laws as weapons in the battle over U.S.-Puerto Rican relations and the volatile debate over statehood. It will be of interest to linguists, political scientists, students of contemporary cultural politics, and political activists in discussions of nationalism in multilingual communities.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The Politics of Language in Puerto Rico?
History and Archaeology > History > History of the Americas
Where can I read a sample of The Politics of Language in Puerto Rico?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780813020778
How long is The Politics of Language in Puerto Rico and how many pages does it have?
The Politics of Language in Puerto Rico has 240 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book The Politics of Language in Puerto Rico?
Amílcar Antonio Barreto
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
The Politics of Language in Puerto Rico is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780813020778) and paperback(ISBN 9780813064079) and ebook(ISBN 9780813063829)
Where can I buy The Politics of Language in Puerto Rico online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy The Politics of Language in Puerto Rico from below
Where can I buy The Politics of Language in Puerto Rico?