A study by two University sociologists shows troubles that come with language barriers run deep.
The study, “Latino Immigration, Economic Deprivation and Violence: Regional Differences in the Effect of Linguistic Isolation,” conducted by associate professor of sociology Edward Shihadeh and sociology graduate assistant Raymond Barranco, found Latinos living in areas in the U.S. with newly-formed Latino populations are more likely to be murdered than Latinos living in areas where older Latino communities have been established.
Many Latinos in America live outside established Latino immigrant communities in places like Florida, New York and Chicago, where Spanish is common and English is not necessary for routine tasks, according to a news release about the study.
In new destinations, English disfluency has led to a cultural and social isolation, greatly increasing the rates at which Latinos are murdered, according to the release.
“There is no penalty in established Latino destinations for not knowing English,” Shihadeh said.
Shihadeh said the research began about four years ago.
Shihadeh said the recent findings have no relation to the new immigration laws in California and Arizona.
 
 
 
 
—
Contact Kayla DuBos at [email protected]