Defining the Deficit

Abstract

This chapter examines the “foreign language deficit” in the United States. It begins with the failure of the government to address the problem beyond isolated programs and intermittent “calls to action” in response to crises. It considers the country’s history as a “settler nation” and its conflicted views on language in attempting to preserve a national identity in the face of successive waves of newcomers. It looks at declining numbers in foreign language programs and enrollments from elementary school through university while recognizing the rising popularity of Korean as a culturally driven phenomenon and the growing interest in streaming foreign language media. It uncovers concerns that affect access and opportunity tied to social capital and systemic exclusion. The chapter notes the potential of students from immigrant families who could meet the demand for bilingual service providers in immigrant communities. It further underscores the risks of monolingualism to foreign diplomacy.