Possible Outcomes for the Future of Spanish and English in Northeast Georgia and Other Areas of the U.S., and Implications for Further Study

In light of current immigration patterns and the social (extralinguistic) and linguistic patterns shown in the previous chapters, possible language usage outcomes are discussed for the area and the community of the study. Additional lines of future research are also discussed, especially focusing on how bilingualism and more specifically Spanish English bilingualism in the U.S. can be maximized to the benefit of the Hispanic community and the wider community. The study highlights the gaps in first and second-language education in schools and the need for more and stronger bilingual programs, including literacy in both Spanish and English. Conclusions from other Spanish English contact researchers (Lipski, Silva-Corvalán, Fuller, and others) are examined in relation to implications concluded from the analysis of the data of the Northeast Georgia Hispanic community of this study. The language patterns in the previous chapters point to educational strategies that can be used to maintain, reinforce, or encourage preferred language patterns in order to enhance students’ ability to use both languages in their future lives and careers. And recognition is given to the benefits of this bilingual ability for individuals and the community as a whole.