Why are so many children dropping their home languages as they learn
English? This question can be answered only in reference to the societal
context in which the children are learning English. Second language learning
does not result in the loss of the primary language everywhere. But it
does often enough in societies like the United States and Canada where linguistic
or ethnic diversity are not especially valued. Despite our considerable
pride in our diverse multicultural origins, Americans are not comfortable
with either kind of diversity in our society. The U.S. English movement is