Language Loss in the 21st Century: Latinx Scholars Losing the Mother Tongue in the United States

• In Event: 81.019 - A Luta Continua: Navigating the Profession as Latinx Educators

Abstract

This presentation highlights the impact of Latinx scholars losing fluency in Spanish, their heritage language. Drawing from Critical Race Theory, the critical teacher educators explore the value of 21st century bilingualism in the United States. Using critical counter narratives and testimonios, each scholar examines their Indigenous Latinx experiences and fluency loss of their mother tongue. The authors share a cautionary story regarding the socially constructed norms of hegemony within U.S. whitestream public school systems, another manifestation of “post-truth” and how research evidence can be used or rejected by dominant cultural groups. Their findings offer guidance to address the moral, socio-political, affective, and emotional dimensions of teaching in the Trump Era.

Authors

• Nilsa J. Thorsos, National University

• James Martinez, Valdosta State University

• Maria L. Gabriel, Poudre School District