Over half of U.S. Latinos who do not speak Spanish have been shamed by other Latinos for it.
Language plays a foundational role in shaping human experience, connecting people to their heritage and offering a sense of pride. However, for many U.S. Hispanics, language can also be a source of anxiety and shame. According to a study by the Pew Research Center, while 78 percent of U.S. Hispanics say it’s not necessary to speak Spanish to identify as Latino, over half of those who don’t speak Spanish report having been shamed by other Hispanics for not speaking the language.
"Language is an essential part of the Latino experience for some within the community,” said Lorena Garibay, a 26-year-old San Francisco State University graduate. “It allows us to connect with the wider Spanish-speaking community and opens the door to our culture, arts, music, and literature.”
Today, the U.S. Hispanic population has grown to 65 million, representing a diverse mix of backgrounds. Many recent immigrants are Spanish-dominant, while a significant portion of U.S.-born Hispanics speak both English and Spanish fluently. However, “the fastest-growing group of Hispanics in the U.S. comprises third-generation or higher individuals—those born in the U.S. to U.S.-born parents,” said Mark Hugo Lopez, Director of Race and Ethnicity Research at the Pew Research Center in an interview with PBS. These third-generation Latinos may not be as fluent in Spanish, yet they still identify as Hispanic.
The study by Pew Research Center revealed that U.S. Hispanics who consider their Hispanic identity as essential to their self-concept are more likely to emphasize the importance of future generations speaking Spanish. They are also more inclined to feel that speaking Spanish is necessary to be considered Hispanic.
“I believe you can identify as Latino without speaking Spanish,” Garibay added, “but speaking the language allows you to share and connect with others in the community. There are expressions that can’t be translated into English and so it’s important for those who truly want to connect with their culture to try and learn Spanish”.
This cultural tension is felt by many, as four-in-ten Hispanic adults report frequently hearing jokes from other Hispanics about those who don’t speak Spanish or don’t speak it well. “It’s younger Latinos experiencing this shaming more than older generations,” Lopez explained in an interview with PBS, noting that “college-educated young Latinos, in particular, report this pressure, with more than 60 percent saying they have been shamed for not speaking Spanish. It’s an ongoing experience impacting young people.”
Garibay shared that many non-Spanish-speaking Hispanics express regret. “When I meet someone who doesn’t speak Spanish, they often tell me they wish their family had taught them the language,” she said.
The Pew Research Center’s findings highlight a complex relationship among U.S. Hispanics with the Spanish language—balancing pride, cultural connection, and the desire for inclusivity across generational lines.
• While most U.S. Latinos speak Spanish, not all do. 24% of all Latino adults say they can only carry on a conversation in Spanish a little or not at all. Among third- or higher-generation Latinos, a much higher share are not Spanish speakers: Close to two-thirds (65%) of third- or higher-generation Latinos say they cannot carry on a conversation well in Spanish.
• About half of U.S. Hispanics who do not speak Spanish have been shamed because of it. 54% of Hispanics who say they speak no more than a little Spanish say another Hispanic person has made them feel bad for it.
• Some Hispanics make jokes about those who do not speak Spanish. Four-in-ten Hispanic adults say they hear other Hispanics make jokes, extremely often or often, about Hispanics who do not speak Spanish or don’t speak it well.
• Spanglish use is widespread among U.S. Hispanics. 63% report speaking Spanglish, a combination of Spanish and English, at least sometimes.
• Personal Hispanic identity is related to views about Spanish. U.S. Hispanics who consider their Hispanic identity to be extremely or very important to how they think about themselves are more likely than other Hispanics to say it’s important for future generations to speak Spanish. They are also more likely to say it is necessary for someone to speak Spanish in order to be considered Hispanic.
For U.S. Latinos, speaking Spanish can be much more than just a communication skill; it’s a powerful marker of identity and a bridge to cultural heritage. For many, the Spanish language is a source of pride, and Latino parents often encourage their U.S.-born children to learn and speak it as a way to stay connected to their roots. Notably, the United States is home to one of the world’s largest Spanish-speaking populations, highlighting the language’s significance and growing presence across communities.