To investigate the validity of language usage as an indicator of identification with the Mexican American subculture, this study hypothesized that greater use of Spanish than English would be correlated with characteristics consistent with the ideal, typical, Mexican American family in terms of family of orientation and aspirations for future family of procreation. Data from Kuvlesky and Patella's 1967 study of about 600 Mexican American high school sophomores in South Texas (cf. related document, ED 040 777) were used. With a few exceptions, the hypothesis was not supported; however, the exceptions indicated that language usage may well be correlated with certain attitudes, behaviors, and other subtle characteristics that cannot be known without further investigation. Implications were drawn for theory, past and future research, methodology, and social policy, particularly in the educational realm (e.g., teachers must not assume that language usage patterns indicate other aspects of the student's attitudes and values). [Not available in hard copy due to marginal legibility of original document]. (Author/BO)