This paper discusses whether the rapidly growing Hispanic segment of the United States population will speak one language or two. A review of statistics on this population group notes that it is comprised of many subgroups; that more than half of the Hispanic population has lived in the United States for 12 years or more; and that in the areas of education, income, and employment, the Hispanic population compares less favorably to the total population. This section also opens the discussion of language by looking at patterns of acculturation and assimilation and suggests that the Hispanic American population is becoming acculturated but not assimilated. This section argues that many immigrants come to the United States primarily for the higher standard of living and not from a more idealized admiration of its culture. A review and discussion of the research on language use and cultural preferences among Hispanic Americans and of mass media usage note that many retain their usage of Spanish language and high rates of watching and listening to Spanish language television and radio exist. The paper concludes that the Hispanic population is not assimilating rapidly into mainstream society, preferring to remain acculturated and retain their own cultural patterns and use of the Spanish language. Contains 20 references and 7 tables. (JB)