Mainland Control of Manufacturing and Reward for Bilingualism in Puerto Rico

The literature on language group relations in the economy of Quebec Province suggests that more French Canadians are bilingual than English Canadians because many businesses use English and are owned or operated by English Canadians. Bilingual French Canadians are rewarded, on the average, by placement into better occupations. The hypothesis is made that a similar reward exists for bilingualism in English in the Spanish mother tongue labor force in Puerto Rico. The 1970 Census of Population in Puerto Rico provides data for a test of this hypothesis in which the reward is demonstrated. It is also hypothesized that it is mainland American ownership of businesses which accounts for this reward. This hypothesis is tested on the labor force in manufacturing It is not confirmed.