ERIC Number: EJ1402234
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 21
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0790-8318
EISSN: EISSN-1747-7573
Adult Ethnic Minorities' Mainstream Language Proficiency: Cultural Knowledge, Cultural Identification, and Language Use Attitudes
Gu, Michelle Mingyue; Chiu, Ming Ming; Li, Jennie Zhen
Language, Culture and Curriculum, v36 n4 p385-405 2023
This study examines how immigrants' enculturation/acculturation, language use, and parenting were linked to their oral and written language proficiencies in multilingual Hong Kong (speak English, speak Cantonese, read and write Chinese). Participants in this study included 655 immigrant parents (from Pakistan, Nepal, India, Philippines, Indonesia, Kenya, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and others). Structural equation modelling of survey responses showed that parents with greater ethnic enculturation or host acculturations reported better mainstream language skills (speak English, speak Cantonese, read and write Chinese). More heritage cultural knowledge was linked to better spoken Cantonese. Greater cultural identification with their own ethnic community was linked to better spoken English. Those with more local Chinese cultural knowledge reported better Chinese reading and writing and permissive parenting, which contributed to better English speaking. Compared to immigrant fathers, immigrant mothers reported lower Cantonese and English speaking proficiencies. Together, these results show that greater cultural identification with the ethnic community was linked to greater English-speaking skills.
Descriptors: Language Usage, Language Attitudes, Second Language Learning, Second Language Instruction, English (Second Language), Language Proficiency, Acculturation, Parent Child Relationship, Parenting Styles, Oral Language, Written Language, Multilingualism, Mandarin Chinese, Sino Tibetan Languages, Foreign Countries, Immigrants, Cultural Awareness, Ethnic Groups, Parent Attitudes, Self Concept
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Hong Kong
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A