Language use in a new country: The experience of Soviet émigrés in Boston.

This study, based on Soviet émigrés in the greater Boston area, looks at the correlates of English language proficiency and the role that language plays in immigrants' adjustment as defined through three concepts—difficulty in everyday situations, awareness of differentness, and satisfaction. Proficiency is most highly correlated with general level of education, length of time in the United States, and work status. High contact with both Americans and conationals is associated with the highest level of language proficiency. As a factor in adjustment, language proficiency is significantly related to difficulty in certain social situations and to feelings of embarrassment or self-consciousness in public situations. It is not related, however, to ease of handling a number of other social situations or to other reactions such as lack of confidence in being able to accomplish things. Those who know English are most satisfied with their life in America and tend to feel more comfortable, yet they are not more likely to say they would come to the United States if they had it to do over again. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]