Abstract
This ethnographic study examined the experience of nine immigrant parents adapting to life in the Midwest region of the United States. Analysis of nine in-depth interviews revealed that immigrant parents sometimes struggled to maintain their children’s cultural identities, particularly language. In addition to the nine interviews, archival data from academic articles support participants’ claims of political instability, a horrifying trend in domestic violence and femicide in Guatemala, as well as gossip culture and other social norms in participants’ countries of origin as a reason for their travel to the United States. Archival data provides context and historical reference to substantiate the reasons for the departure from the participants’ place of birth and a visual into the world on these participants’ lives before deciding to emigrate. Postcolonial and Acculturation theories serve as fundamental pillars to analyze immigrant identities and the intersections of culture, race, and language. Language as an emotional link, language as a tool, and language worthy of pride and identity through continuity and heritage emerged as central themes. The narratives highlight the profound impact of language on the immigrant experience. The findings reveal several broader social and cultural implications, one of which is the importance of preserving linguistic diversity in multicultural societies.