OSU Modern Greek Program

Patterns of Greek Language Use among Greek Americans
(1980–2023)

In recognition of the upcoming World Greek Language Day, the Modern Greek Program has solicited this statistical analysis of Greek language use among Greek Americans in the last four decades. I appreciate Grigoris Argeros for his positive and swift response.

We post the report early so that the results will be incorporated in a series of scheduled discussions on the topic. It has already solicited strong interest.

The trends require explanation, and in turn serious investment in research as to their multifaceted causes. Language use varies depending on historical and cultural context.

Patterns of Greek Language Use among Greek Americans (1980–2023) This brief examines patterns of Greek language use among Greek Americans from 1980 to 2023, using self-reported ancestry from the U.S. Census. The analysis begins in 1980 because earlier censuses did not ask about ancestry, thus making it difficult to consistently identify Greek Americans before the...