Who Supports the English-Only Movement?: Evidence for Misconceptions about Latino Group Vitality

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Abstract
The considerable growth in language minority populations in the US in recent years has been matched by an increase in language policies encapsulated by the English-only movement. Using vitality theory as a framework, this study investigated if support for English-only policies among Anglo-Americans is related to perceptions about growing Latino group vitality (salience in the population, social institutions, and increased power/status) and the presence of Spanish in the linguistic landscape. The study examined these issues by conducting a telephone survey (n = 389) in Santa Barbara, California. As predicted, Anglo-Americans' perceptions of growing Latino vitality together with decreasing Anglo vitality, and a strong within group language identity, were related to support for English-only policies and (to a lesser extent) social limitations on immigrants. Contrary to expectations, less contact with Spanish in the linguistic landscape was associated with greater support for English-only policies. Older participants were much more likely to support English-only policies, while those with a higher level of education were less likely to support such policies.

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