Foreword
There are several innovative aspects to Español en Estados Unidos that set it apart as a unique language learning resource. For one, as the title indicates, this language textbook centers largely on Spanish and Spanish-speakers within the United States. Spanish has been spoken in the area now comprised by the United States for over 500 years, beginning with the 1493 arrival of Christopher Columbus in what was later named Puerto Rico, and preceding English by several decades. In the early 16th century, the expeditions of Spanish explorers and colonizers extended the language across a vast swath of what is now the United States. Many readers likely know that the present-day states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah were first colonized by Spain before being ceded to the United States in the 18th and 19th centuries, but you may not be aware that Spanish expeditions also explored much of the Southeast, including not just present-day Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama but also parts of Georgia, the Carolinas, and Virginia, and they also reached as far as Oregon in the Northwest.
Spanish has been spoken in North America continuously since the colonial period, and it remains a vital and vibrant part of life in the United States today. According to the US Census Bureau’s most recent statistics (from 2022), over 41 million people living in the United States (roughly 13.2% of the population 5 years old and over) speak Spanish at home, which is more than the number of speakers of all other non-English languages combined. The majority of people who speak Spanish at home are US citizens who were born in the United States. And yet, despite the clear status of Spanish as the second national language, the teaching of Spanish in this country has long focused almost exclusively on the language and cultures of Spain and Latin America, paying scant attention to the rich tapestry of traditions, histories, and identities linked to Spanish within our national borders. In recent years, many scholars and educators have advocated for an end to this erasure of the presence and importance of Spanish and Spanish-speakers in the United States and to the portrayal of Spanish as a ‘foreign’ language. With Español en Estados Unidos, Elena Foulis and Alexandra Rodríguez Sabogal have answered the call for Spanish language textbooks that put Spanish in the United States front and center.
Another admirable feature of Español en Estados Unidos is that it emphasizes language variation, highlighting the myriad ways that Spanish is spoken and written across different regions, social contexts and communicative settings. In addition, the authors explore language contact between Spanish and English, as well as between Spanish and various Indigenous languages. This approach rejects the notion of any specific variety of Spanish being superior to others and celebrates cross-linguistic influence and multilingual practices, thus reflecting the linguistic and cultural richness and diversity of Spanish speakers in the United States (and elsewhere) while also showcasing the fluid and dynamic nature of language and multilingualism.
Español en Estados Unidos offers a wealth of engaging and informative readings, videos, and activities designed to get you using Spanish while also deepening your knowledge about the real-world experiences of Spanish-speakers in the United States and beyond. Authentic materials culled from the internet, together with thought-provoking discussion questions and project-based activities encourage you to critically reflect on your own experiences as well as to delve deeper into the social, cultural and political dynamics of a wide array of timely and engaging topics such as the history of Spanish in the United States, gender inclusive language, digital media, ethnoracial and linguistic diversity in Latin America, and the use of Spanish in public spaces and at work. By making Español en Estados Unidos an open educational resource (OER), the authors have also provided instructors who use other, more traditional textbooks with an invaluable free resource that they can draw from in order to complement those textbooks and make their curriculum more meaningful and relevant.
Español en Estados Unidos is intended for students who grew up hearing and/or speaking Spanish in their homes as well as for students who are learning it as a second or additional language. For heritage speakers, your ability in Spanish, as well as your decision to maintain and/or further develop your knowledge of Spanish is commendable, given the societal pressures and educational policies that prioritize English and have led far too many multilinguals to lose their home languages. Your commitment to speaking Spanish despite these challenges reflects resilience as well as a recognition of the profound cultural, familial, and identity value of Spanish both within and beyond your own communities. Those of you who did not grow up in Spanish-speaking homes are also part of a growing movement that validates the experiences and linguistic contributions of Spanish speakers within the US. Regardless of your language background, proficiency in Spanish is a powerful tool that enhances communication and multicultural understanding in a broad range of public and private contexts both in the US and internationally. In fact, with over 580 million speakers, Spanish is the second most commonly spoken language in the world. Your participation in this linguistic community contributes to a richer, more inclusive society and a dynamic future for you, your communities, the country, and the world. ¡Adelante!
George Mason University
https://mcl.gmu.edu/people/jleeman
