ERIC Number: ED513643
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2010
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Meso-American Languages in the Wiregrass: An Investigation of Language Maintenance in North Florida/South Georgia
Gladwin, Ransom
Online Submission
This study used oral survey methods to examine first the diversity of Meso-American languages and second the potential language maintenance or loss of these languages among Meso-American language speakers in Wiregrass country (North Florida-South Georgia). Language shift, the process of gradually changing from one first language to another first language over successive generations, often occurs among displaced immigrant populations (Fishman, 1967). In a similar study Gladwin (2004) predicted potential Meso-American language shift/loss among surveyed Meso-American language speaking respondents in Southeast Florida. The current study in North Florida/South Georgia also predicts potential Meso-American language loss, however, the present findings showed greater linguistic diversity and a stronger loyalty to Meso-American languages among the respondents in Wiregrass country. [This paper has been published as: Gladwin, R.F. (2010). Meso-American Languages in the Wiregrass: An Investigation of Language Maintenance in North Florida/South Georgia. "Florida Foreign Language Journal," 6(1), 9-21.]
Descriptors: Language Skill Attrition, Language Maintenance, Surveys, Questionnaires, Cultural Maintenance, Language Minorities, Adults, Native Language, American Indians, American Indian Languages, Parent Attitudes, Immigrants, Refugees, Hispanic Americans, Mayan Languages, Maya (People), Language Attitudes
Publication Type: Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Florida; Georgia; Guatemala; Mexico
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A