A study examined the use of the ethnic language as it relates to ethnic self-identification in three generations of a bilingual family of Mexican origin in San Antonio (Texas). Family members were speakers of Texas Spanish and English. Two questionnaires and follow-up discussions examined fluency in Spanish and English; language preferences; formal language education; ethnic identity; ethnic self-identification; and probable language choice in a series of hypothetical situations. Respondents varied in their assessments of the role Texas Spanish plays in their ethnic self-identification, and they were not likely or even linguistically able to exploit the role of Spanish to validate their ethnic identity. Other factors to consider include linguistic insecurity; racial discrimination based on linguistic and cultural markers in addition to physical characteristics; and a diffuseness of ethnic identity. The Quebecois in Canada and the Catalans in Spain have effected socioeconomic and political change by making the ethnic language the very symbol of ethnic identity and pursuing change through language planning and policy. In the face of recent trends in legislation and the "English-only" movement, Mexican Americans in Texas may want to find ways to "reattach" the linguistic component of their ethnicity and thereby focus their identity sufficiently to exploit the socioeconomic and political advantages other minority groups have achieved elsewhere. (TD)