scholarly journals The Relationships among Heritage Language Proficiency, Ethnic Identity, and Self-Esteem

Author(s):  
Shu-Chun Yu
Author(s):  
Clara Lee Brown

The current study explores how heritage language proficiency affects the ethnic identity of four Korean-American college students who have maintained a high level of heritage language proficiency. Findings from in-depth interviews are consistent with previous studies which show close relationships between heritage languages and ethnic identity, yet the study reveals that a high level of heritage language proficiency is not necessarily associated with a heightened sense of ethnic identity for the selected students. Interview data suggest that participants’ perceived expectations from society in general contribute to identity conflicts. A path to maintaining heritage language should start from creating a safe environment, especially in schools where heritage language speakers are protected from negative stereotypes.


1999 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 867-880 ◽  
Author(s):  
EMILIE PHILLIPS SMITH ◽  
KATRINA WALKER ◽  
LAURIE FIELDS ◽  
CRAIG C. BROOKINS ◽  
ROBERT C. SEAY

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 245-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria M. Arredondo ◽  
Melanie Rosado ◽  
Teresa Satterfield

Studies show positive associations between ethnic identity, socio-emotional health and academic success. However, most work is carried out with adolescents and few have examined how young children develop an ethnic identity, particularly u.s. Latino children. The present study represents a first-pass investigation of children’s ethnic identity mechanisms and their relation to academic success. We carried out semi-structured interviews in Spanish with 25 Latino children (ages 5–12). Open-ended questions addressed items on the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure and Ethnic Identity Scale, incorporating a mixed qualitative (i.e., themes) and quantitative (i.e., scoring) analysis. Results revealed that children provide great detail when discussing their ethnic background. Additionally, Latino children’s bilingualism and Spanish-language proficiency were significant markers of ethnic identity formation, which in turn were positively associated with affect and Spanish literacy. These findings shed light on the complexities of ethnic identity construction during children’s early years, and establish a path for further investigation of Latino children’s socio-emotional health and academic achievement.


1992 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 271-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean S. Phinney ◽  
Victor Chavira

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 303-329
Author(s):  
Tamara Vorobyeva ◽  
Aurora Bel

Abstract This study focuses on the issue of language proficiency attainment among young heritage speakers of Russian living in Spain and examines factors that have been claimed to promote heritage language proficiency, namely, age, gender, age of onset to L2, quantity of exposure and family language use. A group of 30 Russian-Spanish-Catalan trilingual children aged 7–11 participated in the study. In order to measure heritage language proficiency (L1 Russian), oral narratives were elicited. The results demonstrated a significant relationship between L1 proficiency and three sociolinguistic variables (age of onset to L2, quantity of exposure and family language use). Additionally, the multiply regression model demonstrated that the only significant variable affecting language proficiency was family language use and it accounted only for 33% of the variation of children’s language proficiency. The study raises the question about what are the other, yet unknown factors, which can affect heritage language proficiency.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vasilii Sakovici ◽  

The article examines the difficulties of forming ethnic identity among Belarusians through their historical past. Identification features characteristic of Belarusians are highlighted: hard work, thrift, scrupulousness, perseverance, high morality, self-esteem, peacefulness, etc. The author considers such a feature as religious tolerance, or religious tolerance, which was formed over a long historical period, as ethnospecific. In conclusion, it is stablished that the process of formation of the ethnic identity of Belarusians was influenced by natural-historical conditions and inclusion in foreign ethnic state formations. It is noted that the process of formation of the Belarusian ethnic identity did not have the character of a deliberate construction of any predetermined properties and qualities. It crystallized from the values formed in the process of the historical development of the Belarusian nation.


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