Why Spanglish Is Not Broken English

Spanglish is often dismissed as broken English.

Or broken Spanish.
Or a sign of confusion.
Or a lack of education.

But Spanglish is none of those things.

Spanglish is not broken English — it is a bilingual language practice shaped by history, identity, and lived experience.

Where the “Broken” Label Comes From

The idea that Spanglish is broken comes from language hierarchy.

In societies where one language is treated as superior, anything that deviates from that standard is labeled incorrect.

English is positioned as the default.
Spanish is treated as secondary.
Mixing the two is seen as failure rather than adaptation.

This framing says more about power than about language.

Spanglish Follows Linguistic Rules

Contrary to popular belief, Spanglish is not random.

Linguists have shown that Spanglish:

Follows grammatical patterns
Respects syntax from both languages
Uses consistent switching rules

Speakers don’t mix languages arbitrarily. They do so intentionally, based on context, audience, and meaning.

This is not confusion.
It’s fluency.

Spanglish as a Bilingual Skill

Using Spanglish requires strong command of both languages.

To switch effectively, speakers must:

Know vocabulary in both languages
Understand grammatical structure
Read social cues

Far from signaling weakness, Spanglish reflects linguistic competence.

Yet it is often stigmatized because of who uses it.

Language Discrimination and Spanglish

Spanglish is frequently criticized not because it lacks structure, but because it is associated with marginalized communities.

This is language discrimination at work.

Languages associated with power are celebrated.
Languages associated with immigration are policed.

Spanglish becomes a target because it challenges the idea that there is only one acceptable way to sound educated or American.

Spanglish and Identity

For many bilingual Americans, Spanglish feels natural.

It reflects:

Life between cultures
Emotional expression
Cultural memory

Some ideas are easier to express in one language than the other. Spanglish allows speakers to communicate fully — without choosing which part of themselves to silence.

Why Schools and Workplaces Often Reject Spanglish

In schools and professional settings, Spanglish is often discouraged.

Students may be told to:

Pick one language
Stop mixing
Speak “correctly”

These demands ignore how language actually functions in multilingual communities.

They also send a message: parts of your voice don’t belong here.

Spanglish in Culture and Creativity

Despite stigma, Spanglish thrives in:

Music
Poetry
Literature
Film

Artists use Spanglish to reflect authentic voice — refusing to translate themselves for dominant audiences.

This visibility challenges the idea that Spanglish is inferior. It shows that it is expressive, powerful, and deeply rooted in culture.

Why Calling Spanglish “Broken” Misses the Point

Calling Spanglish broken misunderstands language itself.

Languages are not fixed.
They evolve.
They adapt.
They respond to context.

Spanglish is the result of bilingual communities doing exactly that.

It is not broken English.
It is living language.

And recognizing that matters — because language should never be used to diminish intelligence, culture, or belonging.

About the Author

José Martínez is a journalist and author who writes about language, identity, and belonging. He is the author of Your English Is Great, But…, a book exploring accent bias, bilingual identity, and the hidden meaning behind everyday compliments.

👉 Your English Is Great, But… is available now on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Your-English-Great-But-Languages/dp/B0FHBJKJ6R