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

Abstract

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.

Segmental Phonemes Conservation in Pattae Language, Indonesia

“…Therefore, collecting, recording, and studying a local language needs to be conducted (Aritonang, 2016). It agrees with several researches (Bocale, 2019;Bowern, 2017;Ong, 2021;Singh et al, 2021;Soo Ying et al, 2015).…”

Supremacy of English Language Proficiency: Identity Transmission and Transgression among Bangladeshi Graduates

“…The affluent classes have created an adulterated language environment to enhance the emerging lifestyle that results in speech pollution. The modern era of Bengali as a heritage language is facing a grave challenge as many families are giving way to the dominant language that is fast becoming a necessary aspect of real-life (Ong, 2021). The parents and graduates of Bangladesh gravitate to a modern lifestyle that reflects western attitudes in everyday living.…”

The impact of parental language ideology and family language policy on language shift and language maintenance: Bilingual perspective

“…Family language policy consists of three components namely language ideology, practice, and management. Ong (2021) defines language policy as a language planning that is used in the family domain by family member. In addition to that, Baker (2011) defines parents' language policy as " a private language planning" that influences the parents' choice of what language the children speak at home.…”

“…The study was conducted by Ong (2021) on four Chinese single mothers in Penang, Malaysia in speaking either their heritage language or dominant language at home, and how the role of mothers in language shift and language maintenance to their heritage language. It reveals that two mothers encourage to speak their heritage language to their children for emotional attachment to their family.…”