Of 896 foreign-born German and South Italian males, 49 per cent speak English, regardless of their age at the time of coming to the United States. Of those who were under 14 years of age when they came here, 97.1 per cent now speak English, while of those who were 14 years or over at the time of coming only 40.3 per cent do so, those who came here under 14 years of age displaying much greater ability to acquire the language than those who were that age or over. The Germans show 94.6 per cent who speak English, while only 41.7 per cent of the South Italians do so. In the table next presented the percentage of foreign-born employees engaged in the manufacture of tableware who speak English is exhibited by sex, age at time of coming to the United States, and race. TABLE 119.-Per cent of foreign-born employees who speak English, by sex, age at time of coming to the United States, and race- Tableware, (STUDY OF HOUSEHOLDS.) [This table includes only non-English-speaking races with 200 or more persons reporting. The total, however, is for all non-English-speaking races.] 14 The above table shows that 96.9 per cent of persons who were under years of age at time of coming to the United States can speak English, as contrasted with 71.4 per cent who were 14 years of age or over at the time of arrival in this country. A slightly higher per cent of males who were under 14 years of age at the time of landing in the United States can speak English than of females who were of the same age at time of coming to this country. The percentage of males who can speak English, who were 14 years of age or over at time of coming to the United States is very much higher than that of females who were of an equal age at the time of arrival in this country. Germans show a much higher percentage of persons who are able to speak English in each instance than is shown by the table for the total foreign born. 48296°-VOL 14-11-10 The following table shows, by years in the United States and race of individual, the percentage of foreign-born persons in households the heads of which were employed in all forms of glass manufacturing who were 6 years of age or over and who speak English: TABLE 120.-Per cent of foreign-born male employees who speak English, by years in the United States and race-Plate glass. (STUDY OF EMPLOYEES.) [By years in the United States is meant years since first arrival in the United States. This table includes only non-English-speaking races with 100 or more males reporting. The total, however, is for all nonEnglish-speaking races.] Of the group who have been in the United States less than five years 24 per cent speak English. The porportion increases with years in this country until of the group who have been here ten years or over 88.3 per cent speak English. Similarly every race except the Magyars shows an increase in the proportion speaking English accompanying an increase in years in the United States. The Magyars, however, show a greater proportion of the five to nine year group speaking English than of the ten years or over group. The most marked effect of years in the United States on the ability to speak English is shown by the Russians. The following table shows, by years in the United States and race, the percentage of foreign-born male employees of windowglass establishments who speak English: TABLE 121.—Per cent of foreign-born male employees who speak English, by years in the United States and race-Window glass. (STUDY OF EMPLOYEES.) [By years in the United States is meant years since first arrival in the United States. This table includes only non-English-speaking races with 100 or more males reporting. The total, however, is for all nonEnglish-speaking races.] The foregoing table shows that as the length of residence in the United States increases, so does the ability to speak English. By way of illustration, 45 per cent of those who have been in the United States under five years speak English, as compared with 74.4 per cent of those who have been in the United States from five to nine years, and 96.5 per cent of those who have been in the United States ten years or over. The proportion of South Italians, with a residence of less than five years, is identical with the proportion shown in the total for all male employees. Among the representatives of this race, who have been in the United States from five to nine, and ten years or over, however, it will be noted that the proportion who speak English in the first period is much less, and the proportion in the second period considerably less, than the proportions shown in the total for all foreign-born male employees. In the table next presented the percentage of foreign-born male employees employed in glass-bottle factories who speak English is shown by years in the United States and race. TABLE 122.-Per cent of foreign-born male employees who speak English, by years in the United States and race-Glass bottles. (STUDY OF EMPLOYEES.) [By years in the United States is meant years since first arrival in the United States. This table includes only non-English-speaking races with 100 or more males reporting. The total, however, is for all nonEnglish-speaking races.] This table shows that of 896 foreign-born males, 49 per cent speak English. Of those who have been here under five years, 26.9 per cent speak English; 70.3 per cent of those who have been here five to nine years do likewise, while of those who have been here ten years or over 92.7 per cent speak English. Of the two races reporting, Germans and South Italians, the former show a much greater proficiency in acquiring the English language than the latter. Each race, as well as the total, shows an increased ability to speak English with increased years in this country. The following table shows, by sex, years in the United States, and race, the percentage of foreign-born employees engaged in the manufacture of tableware who speak English: TABLE 123.-Per cent of foreign-born employees who speak English, by sex, years in the United States, and race- -Tableware. (STUDY OF EMPLOYEES.) [By years in the United States is meant years since first arrival in the United States. This table includes only non-English-speaking races with 200 or more persons reporting. The total, however, is for all nonEnglish-speaking races.] German. Total. MALE. The preceding table shows that ability to speak English increases with length of residence in the United States. In only one instance is this not true, a higher percentage of female Germans who have been in the United States under five years are able to speak English than those with a residence of from five to nine years. Germans show a considerably higher percentage both in the totals and each specified period of time of persons who are able to speak English than is shown in the total for all foreign-born employees. |