This paper discusses research on the English of Mexican Americans, arguing that in focusing primarily on description of vernacular Chicano English, the literature describing English spoken by Mexican Americans presents an incomplete picture of the complexity of their linguistic situation. Researchers may lose sight of the range of linguistic behaviors found within the Mexican American community, or even within a single family, where it is not uncommon to find fluent Spanish speakers, speakers with limited Spanish proficiency, and speakers of both nonstandard and standard dialects of English. The paper examines the range of linguistic behaviors found within three generations of a primarily English-dominant, middle class Mexican American family. It finds that even within this closeknit group of speakers, there exist distinct linguistic norms, ranging from those associated more closely with Chicano English to those associated with standard English. Even those speakers who make use of few if any linguistic resources associated with Chicano English or Spanish distinguish themselves linguistically from non-Mexican Americans. The paper considers the conscious and unconscious linguistic choices made by the speakers to be acts of identity, suggesting that the linguistic behaviors described are important means of constructing aspects of their social identities. (Contains 20 references.) (SM) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. 1 RE-EXAMINING THE ENGLISH OF MEXICAN AMERICANS MS. AMANDA R. DORAN UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AUSTIN, TEXAS PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY dml TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and Improvement ED E CATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) This document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization originating it. Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality. Points of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent official OERI position or policy.