“Lost in Translation: Language Segregation in the United States”
Discussant: Alexander Koenig (Department of Comparative Human Development)

Abstract: How segregated is the Hispanic population in terms of English language proficiency? Although decades of research has examined residential segregation, we have limited evidence about the extent of language segregation among the largest immigrant-origin group in the nation. The paucity of research on segregation within the Hispanic community represents a missed opportunity to track patterns in where monolingual and multilingual Hispanics live (and how we are faring). I measure dissimilarities across U.S. metros among Hispanics who report varying levels of English language proficiency. Measuring language segregation allows us to assess where Hispanics live; which can help us revisit research on upward mobility.