title: Language Shift in the United States and Foreign-Born Older Mexican Heritage Individuals: Co-ethnic Context for Language Resistance.
abstract: In this study, we investigate individual-level language shift in a population of Mexican origin Latinos/as aged 65 and up. By using data from the Hispanic Established Populations for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly, we investigate their English language use as the dependent variable in a hierarchical linear model. The microlevel independent continuous variable is their level of contact with "Anglos"; the macrolevel continuous independent variable is the percentage of Mexicans in tract of residence. After accounting for their generational status, other microlevel social and health covariates, and tract-level attributes, we found a direct relationship between contact with Anglos and a "shift" toward more English language use, where as co-ethnic concentration increases, the influence of contact with Anglos decreases. We frame this article with a discussion on language shifting, and explain how co-ethnic concentration may provide the resources for engaging in a language resistance.
authors.affiliation: University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Siordia
authors.affiliation: University of Texas at Brownsville, Brownsville, TX, USA.
authors.forename: María E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Díaz
keywords: HEPESE; HLM; Mexicans; language resistance; language shift; multilevel
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