Abstract
In this study, the researcher explored how language influenced recreation choice among 10 Iu Mien living in Sacramento, California. The researcher focused on how language served as a conduit to their leisure choice and explained that because of language barriers this population chose casino gambling instead of other types of leisure activities. Semi-structured interviews and surveys were conducted with 10 first generation non-English speaking Iu Mien refugees living in South Sacramento. Both the surveys and the interviews were conducted in the Iu Mien language; they were translated and the interviews were transcribed by the researcher. In the surveys, the participants provided demographic data. The interviews were analyzed by identifying general consistent themes found within the data. In summary, it was found that because casinos do not require English skills to participate, casino gambling is what these 10 Iu Mien do during their free time. This study concluded that language does serves as a conduit to leisure and influenced the leisure choices for these 10 individuals. Therefore, a relationship exists between language, leisure choices, and casino gambling for these 10 non-English speaking Iu-Miens in Sacramento.