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English dialect

Chicano English

Also known as: Mexican-American English

A native English variety spoken in Mexican-American communities of the US Southwest, particularly Los Angeles. Despite its name, most speakers are monolingual English speakers.

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Frequently asked questions

What language is Chicano English?

Chicano English is a dialect of the English language.

Where is Chicano English spoken?

Chicano English is primarily spoken in United States.

Which region is Chicano English associated with?

Chicano English is part of the North America region on DialectAtlas.

Is Chicano English known by other names?

Yes — Chicano English is also referred to as Mexican-American English.

What are the other dialects of English?

English also includes Received Pronunciation, Geordie, Scottish English, Hiberno-English, General American, Southern American English, Canadian English, Australian English, Broad Australian, Cultivated Australian, Aboriginal Australian English, Indian English, Singlish, African American Vernacular English, New York English, Eastern New England English, Appalachian English, Cajun English, Hawaiian Pidgin, Newfoundland English. Each variety has its own vocabulary, pronunciation, and cultural context.

Other English dialects

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Hawaiian Pidgin

Hawaii Creole English · Pidgin

An English-based creole that emerged on the plantations of Hawaiʻi in the late 19th century. Now native to a substantial share of the Hawaiʻi-born population, with influences from Hawaiian, Portuguese, Cantonese, and Japanese.

Nearby dialects

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Chicano Spanish

0 km away

The Spanish of Mexican-American communities across the US Southwest. Diverse and bilingual; shaped by long contact with English and characterised by code-switching (Spanglish).

Hopi

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Western Apache

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Diné Bizaad

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A Southern Athabaskan (Na-Dené) language spoken across the Navajo Nation in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. The most-spoken Indigenous language north of Mexico, with around 170,000 speakers.

Shoshone

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Lushootseed

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A Salishan language of the Coast Salish peoples around Puget Sound in western Washington. Critically endangered; subject of an active revitalisation through the Tulalip and Muckleshoot tribes.

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