Friday July 04, 2008

Residents of Puerto Rico embrace a variety of languages

See-Sawing Tongues

Both English and Spanish are the official languages of Puerto Rico, but the culture is unmistakably Latin, and Spanish is without a doubt the island's dominant language.

Approximately one quarter of the population speaks English, but with limited capability. English, however, is required in all federal matters and is spoken in all major tourist areas.

Language has been a central issue to Puerto Rican culture and education since 1898. The U.S. authorities made English the language of instruction in schools until strong cultural opposition brought a change in 1930, making Spanish the language of instruction and English a second language studied by all.

In 1991, a pro-commonwealth leadership signed a legislature making Spanish the sole official language of the island. That ruling was reversed by pro-statehood governor Pedro J. Rossello, who signed legislation restoring equal status to Spanish and English.