University Readers

The rich variety of the bilingual communities in San Diego—some of which are found in other large American cities and some of which are unique to San Diego—has never been fully documented. Multilingual San Diego comprises a series of student papers that investigate the wealth of linguistic diversity and cultural perspectives that constitute San Diego's multilingual heritage. Focusing on the efforts of families and communities across San Diego to foster language revitalization, Multilingual San Diego incorporates the voices and views of diverse community members in every chapter. This book is relevant to readers of all backgrounds across the United States and will appeal to the general reading public and scholars alike.

Ana Celia Zentella (Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania), Professor Emerita in the Department of Ethnic Studies at the University of California, San Diego, is a preeminent figure in the study of U.S. Latino varieties of Spanish and English, language socialization, bilingualism, "Spanglish," and "English-only" laws. Her groundbreaking research with "transfronterizos," students who live and study in Tijuana and San Diego, challenges prevailing notions about "ideal bilinguals," and "immigrant alien" discourses. In 1997, Professor Zentella was inducted into the Hunter College Hall of Fame, and was honored for her work by the Manhattan Borough President, Ruth Messinger. Dr. Zentella lives in San Diego with her husband.