When X doesn’t mark the spot: the intersection of language shift, identity and family language policy

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 (255) ◽  
pp. 133-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cassie Smith-Christmas
Keyword(s):  
Language Policy ◽  
Second Generation ◽  
Language Shift ◽  
Third Generation ◽  
Family Language Policy ◽  
Scottish Gaelic ◽  
The Third ◽  
Family Language ◽  
Language Revitalisation ◽  
Isle Of Skye

Abstract This article discusses the reflexive relationship between language shift and identity in the case of Scottish Gaelic on the Isle of Skye, Scotland, demonstrating how (Fishman, Joshua A. 1991. Reversing language shift. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters.) concept of X versus Y as related to language is problematic in this particular context. The article posits that in many ways, the processes by which Gaelic has been alienated from a sense of Scottish identity at the macrolevel are reproduced at the microlevel and discusses the implications of this in terms of Family Language Policy (FLP). Using a nexus analysis approach, this article focuses on a second-generation member – referred to as “Seumas” (the children’s uncle) – of three generations of a Gaelic-speaking family and discusses how, although Seumas appears to see Gaelic as part of his identity in terms of “family” and “heritage”, other identity orientations often take precedence, ostensibly contributing to his high use of English. The article discusses the possible impact that Seumas’ linguistic practices have on the third generation, as well as the double-edged sword nature of using “identity” as a tool in language revitalisation.

scholarly journals ‘One Cas, Two Cas’: Exploring the affective dimensions of family language policy

Multilingua ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 131-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cassie Smith-Christmas
Keyword(s):  
Language Policy ◽  
Language Shift ◽  
Minority Language ◽  
Family Language Policy ◽  
Scottish Gaelic ◽  
Affective Style ◽  
Family Language ◽  
Linguistic Input ◽  
Laissez Faire ◽  
Affective Dimensions

AbstractThe aim of this article is to illustrate the fluid nature of family language policy (FLP) and how the realities of any one FLP are re-negotiated by caregivers and children in tandem. In particular, the paper will focus on the affective dimensions of FLP and will demonstrate how the same reality – in this case, a grandmother’s use of a child-centred discourse style as a means to encouraging her grandchildren to use their minority language, Scottish Gaelic – can play out differently among siblings. Using a longitudinal perspective, the paper begins by examining a recorded interaction between a grandmother, Nana,All names are pseudonyms.and her granddaughter Maggie (3;4) and will discuss how Nana’s high use of questions andlaissez-faireattitude to Maggie’s use of English contribute to the child-centred nature of the interaction, and in turn, to Maggie’s playful use of Gaelic. The paper then examines an interaction recorded five years later in which Nana interacts with Maggie’s brother Jacob (4;0) in the same affective style; however, unlike Maggie, Jacob evidences overtly negative affective stances towards his minority language. The paper concludes by discussing these observations in light of the reflexive nature of FLP in terms of emotional affect, linguistic input, and language shift.

scholarly journals MANTAINING BAHASA ANGKOLA BY ITS SPEAKERS AT LANGGAR COMMUNITY IN KOTA MEDAN

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Armita Novriana Rambe
Keyword(s):  
Language Maintenance ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Third Generation ◽  
Cultural Activity ◽  
Family Language Policy ◽  
The Third ◽  
Family Language ◽  
Wedding Ceremony ◽  
First And Second Generation ◽  
Bahasa Indonesia

The aims of this study was to investigate the strategies of Angkolanese maintain Bahasa Angkola at Langgar Community in Kota Medan. The research was conducted by using qualitative design. The data of this study were the utterances of Angkolanese speakers. There were 20 participants of this research. The data were collected through observation, questionnaire and interview. The result of this study revealed that: There were three factors that affecting language maintenance proposed by Fishman (1991) in this study namely family language policy, Using Angkola language in their daily communication frequently, and using Angkola language in cultural activity like in wedding ceremony. The using of these strategies can be applied to the first and second generation. Meanwhile the third generation found the difficulties when facing the strategies. They tend to use bahasa Indonesia in their daily life because most of their time are spending at school and they are not aware of the cultural activity around them.Key words: Strategies of Language Maintenance, Bahasa Angkola, Langgar Community.  

Family language policy by Hakkas in Balik Pulau, Penang

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 (244) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wang Xiaomei
Keyword(s):  
Language Policy ◽  
Language Maintenance ◽  
Language Shift ◽  
Management Theory ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Language Management ◽  
Family Language Policy ◽  
International Language ◽  
The Family ◽  
Family Language

AbstractFamily domain is crucial for language maintenance. It is also a critical avenue for children’s language acquisition. In Spolsky’s language management theory, family is one of the key domains for language management. In this study, we focus on family language management in Hakka families in Balik Pulau, Penang. Structured-interviews were conducted in November 2012. In total, 14 Hakka families were interviewed. In each family, one parent and one child were interviewed. This article examines family language policy from three perspectives: ideology, practice, and management. The results show that Hakkas in Penang give great importance to Mandarin and almost abandon Hakka in the family domain. However, they still have strong Hakka identity and some parents have restarted to speak Hakka with their children consciously. Multilingual capacity is a common expectation from parents. With multilingual input in the family domain, most of the children become passive bilinguals or multilinguals. The regional prestige dialect Hokkien is part of the repertoire of these Hakka families. However, there are no intentional efforts from the parents to teach Hokkien to their children. Conscious language management is only found for Mandarin and sometimes for English. This results from the parents’ language ideology that Mandarin is the most important language for Chinese Malaysians and English is an international language for their children’s future career. Findings from the current study contribute to the understanding of language maintenance and language shift in general.

scholarly journals Family Language Policy, Language Maintenance and Language Shift: Perspectives from Ethnic Chinese Single Mothers in Malaysia

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-75
Author(s):  
Teresa Wai See Ong
Keyword(s):  
Language Policy ◽  
Single Mothers ◽  
Language Maintenance ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Language Shift ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Family Language Policy ◽  
Heritage Languages ◽  
Ethnic Chinese ◽  
Family Language

Family language policy comprises three components, namely, ideology, practice, and management. Using the conceptual framework of family language policy, this study draws on data from semi-structured interviews and participant observation to explore the role of mothers in the process of language maintenance and language shift in Malaysia. First, it investigates the language choices and ideologies of four Chinese single mothers from Penang that lead to speaking heritage languages and/or dominant languages with their children. Second, it examines the strategies for heritage culture maintenance adopted by these mothers. The study found that two of the mothers speak Chinese heritage languages with their children to reinforce emotional attachment and family cohesion. Conversely, two other mothers face socioeconomic and educational pressures in relation to maintaining Chinese heritage languages, which trigger a shift to using dominant languages such as Mandarin Chinese and English with their children. Nevertheless, all four mothers made efforts in exposing their children to ethnic Chinese cultures. The findings indicate that maintaining heritage languages in the current era has become a challenge for many families in Malaysia while speaking dominant languages is becoming a necessity.

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