1.5 generation

[Barb_D]

That's an excellent point. I was trying to figure out what was wrong with this whole discussion, and then I realized it was the noun.

I'm a first-generation American, since my mom was born in Poland. I'm not a first (or second) generation immigrant. My mom was the immigrant, although she was less than a year old when she came to the US.

However, I do think it's common, I think, to talk in sociological terms about first- and second-generation immigrants when you discuss assimiliation.

I'm terrible at doing those COCA searches, but perhaps one of you with more skills that way could see how often the term "second-generation immigrant" is used compared to "first-generation" and then see how often those terms are used wtih "American"instead "immigrant."

[5jj]

.. perhaps one of you with more skills that way could see how often the term "second-generation immigrant" is used compared to "first-generation" and then see how often those terms are used wtih "American"instead "immigrant."

First(-)generation immigrant - 19 examples
First(-)generation American - 29
Second(-)generation immigrant - 12
Second(-)generation American - 16

I don't think we can read anything into those figures, though they do suggest that 'second(-)generation immigrant' is acceptable.