Immigrants’ bilingual reality gets lost in translation

But the stereotype is different. The stereotype says that my mother — and millions of immigrants like her — remained shackled to the culture and language of their homeland, stubbornly refusing to learn English. And if the parents failed to speak English, how could their kids adapt to the United States?

The truth is more complex. I learned Spanish, but I also learned English — hence my early duties as a translator. My friends, most of whom came from immigrant families, learned both languages as well, speaking one at school, the other at home.

Our experience was far from unique, but it takes more than anecdotal evidence to convince some people. It takes facts, data as cold and hard as granite. It takes surveys.”*

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