Introduction
Statement
This module consists of a brief description of how to reverse language shift
and accomplished language maintenance across generations. As discussed in
previous modules, one of the main consequences of language shift is the loss of
the heritage language across generations (Baker, 2006; Nawanz, Umer, Anjum,
& Ramzan, 2012). The loss of
heritage language might provoke serious negative results, which principally
affect the development of strong family relationships and cultural identities
(Mouw & Yu, 1999; Potowski, 2013; Zhou & Bankston, 2000).
Unfortunately,
language shift is a phenomenon that is inevitable, and occurs from one
generation to the next (Sofu, 2009). However, the intergenerational
transmission of a language from parents to children is also common in the
society, serving as a reversing process of language shift across generations
(Potowsky, 2013; Tran, 2010). This
reverse side of language shift is known as language maintenance, which was
defined by Mesthrie as “the continuing use of a language in the face of
competition from a regionally and socially powerful or numerically stronger
language” (as
cited in Donghui, 2010, p. 43).
According
to several scholars, it has been found that language maintenance has several
benefits (Donghui, 2010; Lanza & Svendsen, 2007; Mouw & Yu, 1999). Some of the possible benefits of language
maintenance were discussed by Donghui (2010), who explained that children of
immigrants who have successfully maintained heritage language skills presumably
can enjoy academic and economic advantages and at the same time benefit from
the development of stronger family relations, deeper contact with their
heritage community, and their country of origin through the heritage language.
Additionally,
the maintenance of a heritage language has been related to the transmission of
cultural and ethnic identities, as well as the increasing possibility of bilingualism
development across generations (Lanza & Svendsen, 2007; Porter & Hao,
1998; Tran, 2010). Which according to
prior investigations, bilingualism enables children of immigrants to
communicate effectively with their parents who are not proficient in the
language of the host country (Mouw & Yu, 1999). Furthermore, language
maintenance allows the development of strong family and cultural group
relationships (Potowski, 2013). Finally, language maintenance should not only
be considered as a reverse process of language shift, but also as a crucial
factor that contributes to the creation of positive attitudes of the younger
generations to become bilingual (Sofu, 2009).
To
see how the language shift can be reversed and how language maintenance can be
achieved, continue with the activities in this module.
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