Language Attrition and Its Effect on the Identity of Second-Generation Spanish Speakers: To what extent does language attrition affect identity in second-generation Spanish speakers in the United States?

The research question of this extended essay investigates language attrition and its impact on identity among second-generation Spanish speakers in the United States. The research uses Social Identity Theory, acculturation, assimilation models, and heritage language research as its theoretical framework. It investigates how declining Spanish proficiency affects perceptions of ethnic identity, experiences of belonging, and acculturative stress.

The method involves conducting a critical literature review that assesses psychological and sociolinguistic research through analysis of qualitative case studies and quantitative survey studies that utilize standardized assessment tools such as the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure (MEIM), the ARSMA-II, and acculturative stress scales. Through its examination of extensive longitudinal studies, it encompasses representative national demographics. The research examines key studies by assessing their strengths and limitations, and investigates how Spanish-language loss affects identity, and it shows that ethnic identity remains stable or grows stronger despite English-language dominance.


The research shows that lower or stigmatized Spanish skills lead second-generation and 2.5-generation Latinos to experience diminished ethnic authenticity, heightened shame, and increased Spanish-related acculturative stress in educational environments. The study shows through longitudinal and survey research that most Latinos maintain their strong Hispanic identity while they disapprove of Spanish language requirements for group membership. Although some individuals create "reactive ethnicity," which enhances their discriminatory identity by decreasing Spanish usage. The research shows that second-generation Spanish speakers use Spanish as a meaningful cultural asset that shapes their identity development through language attrition.