학술논문

Restoring Official Bilingualism
Document Type
Chapter
Author
Source
The Politics of Language in Puerto Rico: Revisited, 2020.
Subject
History of the Americas
Bilingualism
Pedro Rosselló
Spanish language
Puerto Rican identity
Congress
American-ness
English-only movement
status plebiscite 1993
Language
English
Abstract
While the PPD methodically debated the pros and cons of official unilingualism their PNP rivals, who won the 1992 elections, restored bilingualism within weeks of taking office. The PNP’s rush became apparent when Gov. Pedro Rosselló announced the promotion of a new status plebiscite. As Congress took up the status question in 1993, PNP delegates flashed the new language law as a clear sign of loyalty to the US. That move failed to sway many federal lawmakers who repeatedly brought up the connection between the Spanish language and Puerto Rican identity, along with the low rates of English-language fluency on the island. At this juncture English-language activists from the US mainland began interjecting themselves in the island’s status debates during the English-only movement, reiterating the tight bonds between American-ness and the de facto US vernacular. Although out of office, Commonwealth supporters won the 1993 status plebiscite.

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