Countering Anti-Immigrant Discourses in the New Latino South: “Nos mascan pero no nos tragan”

Abstract

The increased visibility of immigrant communities in the southeastern United States coupled with the economic recession has led to a proliferation of anti-immigrant policies and contributed to a climate which positions Latin@ immigrants and the Spanish language as foreign or threatening. In this article, we examine language ideologies related to Latin@ immigrants that are prevalent in rural communities in North Carolina. We explore which language ideologies circulate and how these are incorporated into coherent Discourses. Data for this qualitative study include 42 in-depth interviews with immigrant and nonimmigrant residents. Findings indicate tensions between the ideologies of English monolingualism as inherently American and individual self-determination, including language choice, as integral to Appalachian culture. Although current social policies seek to marginalize immigrant communities, many participants worked to dispel negative perceptions of immigrants, challenge dominant Discourses that circumscribe Latin@ identity, and develop understanding between local residents and the immigrant community.

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