Comments on: The Saga Of “How Jessica Alba Gained Her Accent” Continues

By: Tania

Tania — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 05:54:46 +0000

I speak Spanish at home english en la calle I love to be latina I love telenovelas and proud of it what is this acculturation bs anyway un boo para la presumida de Jessica alba

Tiene el nopal en la frente y todavia dice que no es hispana lastima por ella ella se lo pierde

By: Carrie_in_TN

Carrie_in_TN — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 16:45:10 +0000

Jessica needs a Cuban abuelita to hang with her and force her to habla. I speak Spanish because my grandmother refused to allow English in the house. If my cousins and I spoke it, it was outside with us. And when it is 98 degrees and no shade, you habla, habla, habla whatever the old woman wants. Now, I’ve got a 4-year-old who is bilingual — and that’s in Tennessee. All because I know La Mama would haunt me if I didn’t speak espanish to her bisnieta.

By: Diego

Diego — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 01:19:51 +0000

JAV!IER,

I’m with you. I’m a first generation American, learned Spanish before English, and I want my children to speak Spanish and English. When I look at East L.A. families that have been in the U.S.A. since the early 20th century and have retained Spanish through the generations, I am inspired by them and want to emulate them with my family.

By: JAV!ER

JAV!ER — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 23:01:52 +0000

@Diego: i’d like to think that trend is changing, with the first generation not being coerced into thinking that their native language will hinder their children / english only is the way to go in the united states.

what you’re saying is true, through. historically thats the way is has been in this county, i just hope the social climate has changed enough so that the second generation doesn’t grow up without the language of their parents.

By: Diego

Diego — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 22:33:13 +0000

Isn’t this the trend with immigrants, particularly Mexican familes? The first generation retains Spanish and English and become educated. The second generation generally speaks English with limited Spanish, and the second generation feels left out and ridiculed by first generationers, so they want their children, the third generation, to speak Spanish as well?