D.C. Mondays: Empanadas, Pupusas, and Greens on the Side: Language and Latinidad in the Nation’s Capital

Washington, D.C., is a distinctive city, and the history and demographics of its Latino community are equally unique. Yet, the nation’s capital also reflects broader U.S. trends, both past and future. In her new book, Empanadas, Pupusas, and Greens on the Side: Language and Latinidad in the Nation’s Capital (Georgetown University Press, 2025), Amelia Tseng explores how language and identity are intimately intertwined in this diverse American context. She examines the experiences of immigrants and their children who have made D.C. home since the 1980s and how the “Chocolate City” and its suburbs have transformed under gentrification.

About Amelia Tseng  

Amelia Tseng is a linguist specializing in multilingualism, race, ethnicity and identity in immigrant and diasporic communities, with a particular focus on the Latinx community and Washington, D.C. Her publications include Research in Heritage Speaker Bilingualism: Theories, Methods, and Designs (Taylor & Francis, 2025), Bilingualism for All? Raciolinguistic Perspectives on Dual Language Education in the United States (Multilingual Matters, 2020), articles in the Journal of Sociolinguistics, Applied Linguistics, Language, Identity, & Education and more. Tseng frequently appears on public radio and other public platforms and speaks at community events such as the D.C. History Conference.