Intersections of Bilingual Development, Language Socialisation and Heritage Languages

Abstract Although cross-linguistic influence at the level of morphosyntax is one of the most intensively studied topics in child bilingualism, the circumstances under which it occurs remain unclear. In this meta-analysis, we measured the effect size of cross-linguistic influence and systematically assessed its predictors in 750 simultaneous and early sequential bilingual children in 17 unique language combinations across 26 experimental studies. We found a significant small to moderate average effect size of cross-linguistic influence, indicating that cross-linguistic influence is part and parcel of bilingual development. Language dominance, operationalized as societal language, was a significant predictor of cross-linguistic influence, whereas surface overlap, language domain and age were not. Perhaps an even more important finding was that definitions and operationalisations of cross-linguistic influence and its predictors varied considerably between studies. This could explain the absence of a comprehensive theory in the field. To solve this issue, we argue for a more uniform method of studying cross-linguistic influence.

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The relevance of first language attrition to theories of bilingual development

Linguistic Approaches to Bilingualism ◽

10.1075/lab.17058.sch ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 7 (6) ◽

pp. 637-667 ◽

Cited By ~ 60

Author(s):

Monika S. Schmid ◽

Barbara Köpke

Keyword(s):

Second Language Acquisition ◽

Native Language ◽

First Language ◽

Knowledge Systems ◽

The Other ◽

Language Attrition ◽

Theoretical Frameworks ◽

Theoretical Approaches ◽

First Language Attrition ◽

Bilingual Development

Abstract Research on second language acquisition and bilingual development strongly suggests that when a previously monolingual speaker becomes multilingual, the different languages do not exist in isolation: they are closely linked, dependent on each other, and there is constant interaction between these different knowledge systems. Theoretical frameworks of bilingual development acknowledge this insofar as they usually draw heavily on evidence of how the native language influences subsequent languages, and how and to what degree this influence can eventually be overcome. The fact that such crosslinguistic transfer is not a one-way street, and that the native language is similarly influenced by later learned languages, on the other hand, is often disregarded. We review the evidence on how later learned languages can re-shape the L1 in the immediate and the longer term and demonstrate how such phenomena may be used to inform, challenge and validate theoretical approaches of bilingual development.

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Language Variation in Mandarin as a Heritage Language: Subject Personal Pronouns

Heritage Language Journal ◽

10.1163/15507076-12340020 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 1-29

Author(s):

Xinye Zhang

Keyword(s):

Social Factors ◽

Heritage Language ◽

Usage Pattern ◽

Heritage Learners ◽

Personal Pronouns ◽

Heritage Languages ◽

Language Program ◽

Undergraduate Level ◽

First Languages ◽

L1 And L2

Abstract Because of limited language input, different dominant languages, and learners’ differing backgrounds, the acquisition of heritage languages is distinguished from the acquisition of L1 and L2. Few studies of Chinese as a Heritage Language (CHL) have explored whether students can acquire native-like sociolinguistic competence and language-specific variables with educational input. Based on a sociolinguistic variationist perspective, this study investigates the acquisition of variation between null and overt subject personal pronouns (SPP s) by heritage learners in an undergraduate-level Mandarin program. A total of 11,970 tokens were collected through classroom observation, sociolinguistic interviews, and narratives. Measuring mixed-effects logistic regression with Rbrul (Johnson, 2009), results show that the overall usage pattern of SPP s by CHL students largely resembled that in the input provided by the language program. Results also demonstrate that linguistic constraints including coreference, person and number, and verb type, and social factors such as discourse context, first languages, course level, and age of arrival had a significant effect on SPP expression by CHL learners. Implications for CHL development and variationist studies in heritage languages are discussed.

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Phonological Complexity: Bernese Swiss German in Ohio and Misiones

Heritage Language Journal ◽

10.1163/15507076-12340013 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 1-26

Author(s):

Robert Klosinski ◽

Andrew D. Hoffman

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Language Change ◽

The United States ◽

Heritage Languages ◽

Swiss German ◽

Local Contact ◽

Additional Reference ◽

Phonological Complexity

Abstract This article investigates the notion of complexity as it applies to two phonological characteristics of Heritage Bernese Swiss German, namely /l/-vocalization and /nd/-velarization. We survey literature on the role of complexity in language change generally, as well as how it applies to heritage languages specifically. We then present findings from our study of two groups of Heritage Bernese speakers, one in the United States and one in Argentina, with additional reference to the local contact languages. Our findings suggest that the loss of /nd/-velarization in Misiones, Argentina is most likely the result of an internally-driven reduction of complexity. For both the Ohio and Misiones communities, however, /l/-vocalization has been maintained. We conclude by discussing the importance of research into language dyads beyond those in the United States as well as pursuing research on lesser-studied heritage languages.

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Autochthonous heritage languages and social media: writing and bilingual practices in Low German on Facebook

Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development ◽

10.1080/01434632.2016.1151434 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 38 (1) ◽

pp. 35-49 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Gertrud Reershemius

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Heritage Languages ◽

Low German

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Gender-related online metalinguistic comments on Straattaal and Moroccan Flavored Dutch in the Moroccan heritage community in the Netherlands

Applied Linguistics Review ◽

10.1515/applirev-2017-0047 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 341-366 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jacomine Nortier

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Hong Kong ◽

The Netherlands ◽

Western Europe ◽

Basic Question ◽

Heritage Languages ◽

Male And Female ◽

Overt Attention ◽

Males And Females ◽

Linguistic Material

AbstractStraattaal (‘street language’) used by members of various ethnic groups contains linguistic material from English and several heritage languages with relatively many Sranan words. Moroccan Flavored Dutch (MFD) is Dutch with elements from Moroccan languages on the level of pronunciation, lexicon and/or grammar. Both Straattaal and MFD can be used by young Moroccan-Dutch. The basic question is: How is the use of MFD and Straattaal by Moroccan-Dutch females perceived within the Moroccan community in CMC? Data were collected by searching posts on social media. Male and female young Moroccan-Dutch comment negatively on Moroccan girls using Straattaal. However, MFD is used too, even by the same participants, receiving little overt attention. The use of and attitudes towards youth languages by females elsewhere sometimes differ from the Moroccan-Dutch context. Examples from Algeria, Indonesia and Hong Kong show that they are used by both females and men without overt negative connotations compared to Western Europe where they seem to be used predominantly by males. A possible explanation could be that there seems to be a gender restriction for varieties used as anti-languages (Halliday 1976), while youth varieties that mark socially upward mobility can be used by both males and females.

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