Translation Nation

In 2001, Latinos became the fastest growing minority group in America. At 39 million, Hispanic-Americans form 13 percent of the U.S. population. In another 50 years, that number is expected to grow to 25 percent.

In his new book, "Translation Nation," Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Hector Tobar says that America's growing Hispanic population is changing what it means to be American and molding a new national culture that he calls "The Latin Republic of the United States."

Thanks to their great numbers and easy access to cultural wellsprings in nearby homelands, Latinos in America will avoid assimilation, argues Tobar. As a consequence, says Tobar, Spanish-speaking America is turning into a "Translation Nation."

Hear a conversation with Hector Tobar on how the Latin immigrant population is changing the American identity.

Guests:

Hector Tobar, author of "Translation Nation: Defining a New American Identity in the Spanish Speaking United States."