LL-L "Language use" 2006.02.07 (03) [E]

[Lowlands-L]

======================================================================
L O W L A N D S - L * ISSN 189-5582 * LCSN 96-4226
http://www.lowlands-l.net * lowlands-l at lowlands-l.net
Rules & Guidelines: http://www.lowlands-l.net/index.php?page=rules
Posting: lowlands-l at listserv.linguistlist.org or lowlands-l at lowlands-l.net
Commands ("signoff lowlands-l" etc.): listserv at listserv.net
Server Manual: http://www.lsoft.com/manuals/1.8c/userindex.html
Archives: http://listserv.linguistlist.org/archives/lowlands-l.html
Encoding: Unicode (UTF-8) [Please switch your view mode to it.]
=======================================================================
You have received this because you have been subscribed upon request.
To unsubscribe, please send the command "signoff lowlands-l" as message
text from the same account to listserv at listserv.linguistlist.org or
sign off at http://linguistlist.org/subscribing/sub-lowlands-l.html.
=======================================================================
A=Afrikaans Ap=Appalachian B=Brabantish D=Dutch E=English F=Frisian
L=Limburgish LS=Lowlands Saxon (Low German) N=Northumbrian
S=Scots Sh=Shetlandic V=(West) Flemish Z=Zeelandic (Zeeuws)
=======================================================================

07 February 2006 * Volume 03
=======================================================================

From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>
Subject: Language use

Folks,

I've been wondering about the extent of use of English in Mexico, apart from 
use between locals and tourists, and I wonder if any of you have detailed 
information about it.

(1)
There are large and fast growing communities with roots north of the border, 
primarily from the US.  Most of their members are retired US citizens that 
moved there either purely by choice or are the vangards of the anticipated 
large wave of "baby-boomers" that cannot afford to retire in the land of 
their birth and/or citizenship.  I have heard of a few cases of retired 
Americans attracting their children and grandchildren to join them where 
these build their own businesses or telecommute to the US.  Those that 
prefer to live in mostly "American" environments have moved to communities 
such as those at Lake Chalapa, and those that are willing or even eager to 
"mix" or "go native" and use Spanish live in cities such as Guadalajara 
(Jalisco State), mostly because non-citizens are or were not permitted to 
purchase real estate within close vicinity of the coasts.  However, rules 
are apparently melting away.  So the US city of San Diego is now developing 
bedroom communities across the border, where real estate prices are just a 
fraction of what they are in San Diego.  Furthermore, I'm told that many 
resident Americans are now taking advantage of the new dual citizenship deal 
(which seems to have been mostly intended for Mexicans in the US), which 
makes life a lot easier and Mexican social welfare (on top of American 
benefits) more immediately available.  So we have these newer and growing 
English-speaking communities of middle-aged to older people, plus a service 
industry catering to them.

(2)
I am not really well acquainted with the history of US-Mexican relations, 
though I do know the general gist.  What I do know is that quite a lot of 
"gringos" moved and stayed in Mexico (especially from California, Arizona 
and Texas), mostly as part of the "gringoization" of Hispanic North America 
that at that time some hoped would continue on into what is now Mexico.  As 
a result, there used to be English-speaking communities especially in 
Mexico's northern states (just as there are long existing Spanish-speaking 
communities on the US side of the border, particularly in the states 
bordering on Mexico).  I assume that most of these "gringo" families have 
been Hispanicized in the meantime, leaving only English and other sorts of 
European surnames (like that of Vincente Fox, Mexico's current president). 
I wonder if some of the long resident families stuck with English, i.e., if 
their are old, established English-speaking communities in Mexico.  (By the 
way, I am wondering about English-speaking communities in Argentina as well, 
apparently most with roots in Britain.)

In summary, the use of English in Mexico seems to be on the rapid increase, 
going beyond tourist industry requirements and (a good number of) individual 
English speakers making their home in Mexico.  We are now talking about 
growing communities, even towns.  It will be interesting to see what sort of 
an impact this will have on Mexican communities, culture and languages. 
Furthermore, it would be interesting to know if there are long established 
English-speaking communities and if and how the latest developments will 
impact them.

Thanks.
Reinhard/Ron 

==============================END===================================
* Please submit postings to lowlands-l at listserv.linguistlist.org.
* Postings will be displayed unedited in digest form.
* Please display only the relevant parts of quotes in your replies.
* Commands for automated functions (including "signoff lowlands-l") are
  to be sent to listserv at listserv.linguistlist.org or at
  http://linguistlist.org/subscribing/sub-lowlands-l.html.
======================================================================