ERIC Number: EJ1447055
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 18
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0143-4632
EISSN: EISSN-1747-7557
The Prestige and Perceived Value of Home Languages. Insights from an Exploratory Study on Multilingual Speakers' Own Perceptions and Experiences of Linguistic Discrimination
Tobias Schroedler; Judith Purkarthofer; Katja F. Cantone
Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, v45 n9 p3762-3779 2024
This paper reports findings from an exploratory study on multilingual speakers conducted in Germany. Data were collected using a questionnaire instrument launched in 2021. To our knowledge, this is the first enquiry into multilinguals' own perception of their spoken languages in Germany. The core research questions addressed in this paper are (1) whether some languages are perceived as more valuable or prestigious than others by their speakers and (2) whether speakers of certain languages experience discrimination more often than speakers of other languages. In the data exploration it was assumed that (a) all languages other than English, French, Italian, and Spanish (besides Latin the standard foreign languages in schools) will be valued 'lower'; and (b) speakers will report experiences of discrimination with respect to their use of those languages other than German or the foreign languages mentioned above. The results indeed demonstrate differences in the perceived value and prestige of certain languages. Multivariate statistical analyses indicate that L1 speakers of languages with perceived lower value (e.g. Turkish) experience discrimination significantly more often than L1 speakers of other home languages (e.g. English). Additionally, qualitative data analyses exemplify levels of discrimination and lived experience of languages.
Descriptors: Native Language, Second Language Learning, Multilingualism, Language Attitudes, Foreign Countries, Social Status, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Social Discrimination, Language Usage, English, Second Languages, Russian, Polish, Indo European Languages, Turkish, Arabic, Greek, Native Speakers, Rating Scales, Elementary Secondary Education
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Germany
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A