Languages
According to the 2006-2008 American Community Survey, the linguistic composition of Los Angeles was as follows out of a population of 3,473,790 people over the age of 5:
- English only: 40.2% (1,397,555)
- Language other than English: 59.8% (2,076,235)
- Speak English less than "very well": 30.5% (1,058,358)
- Spanish: 43.6% (1,513,106)
- Speak English less than "very well": 23.2% (806,252)
- Other Indo-European languages: 7.0% (242,461)
- Speak English less than "very well": 2.8% (98,907)
- Asian languages and Pacific Islander languages: 7.9% (275,109)
- Speak English less than "very well": 4.0% (140,058)
- Other languages: 1.3% (45,559)
- Speak English less than "very well": 0.4% (13,141)
Read more about this topic: Demographics Of Los Angeles
Famous quotes containing the word languages:
“The less sophisticated of my forbears avoided foreigners at all costs, for the very good reason that, in their circles, speaking in tongues was commonly a prelude to snake handling. The more tolerant among us regarded foreign languages as a kind of speech impediment that could be overcome by willpower.”
—Barbara Ehrenreich (b. 1941)
“The very natural tendency to use terms derived from traditional grammar like verb, noun, adjective, passive voice, in describing languages outside of Indo-European is fraught with grave possibilities of misunderstanding.”
—Benjamin Lee Whorf (1897–1934)
“People in places many of us never heard of, whose names we can’t pronounce or even spell, are speaking up for themselves. They speak in languages we once classified as “exotic” but whose mastery is now essential for our diplomats and businessmen. But what they say is very much the same the world over. They want a decent standard of living. They want human dignity and a voice in their own futures. They want their children to grow up strong and healthy and free.”
—Hubert H. Humphrey (1911–1978)