Vietnamese-Australian parents: factors associated with language use and attitudes towards home language maintenance

The aim of this study is to identify factors associated with Vietnamese-Australian parents' language use and attitudes towards home language maintenance. Vietnamese-Australian parents (n = 151) with children aged under 18 completed a survey regarding demographic factors and factors conceptualis...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Journal of multilingual and multicultural development 2024-02, Vol.45 (2), p.489-506
Main Authors:	Tran, Van H., McLeod, Sharynne, Verdon, Sarah, Wang, Cen
Format:	Article
Language:	eng
Subjects:	Attitudes bilingual Children Competence Cultural factors Cultural heritage Cultural identity Demographic transition theory Demography English language English proficiency Families & family life Home language maintenance Ideology Language Language attitudes Language ideologies Language maintenance Language policy Language usage language use Parent-child relations Parents & parenting parents' attitudes Perceptions Social situations Sociolinguistics Spolsky's language policy Vietnamese
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Summary:	The aim of this study is to identify factors associated with Vietnamese-Australian parents' language use and attitudes towards home language maintenance. Vietnamese-Australian parents (n = 151) with children aged under 18 completed a survey regarding demographic factors and factors conceptualised by Spolsky's language policy theory: language practices, language ideologies, and language management. Bivariate analyses and multiple regression models were conducted to explore associations between parents' language use and their attitudes towards home language maintenance and associated factors. Parents' language use with their child was significantly associated with their language practices (parents' language use in social situations). Parents' language use in social situations was significantly associated with language practices (parents' Vietnamese and English proficiency, parents' language use with their child), language management (frequency of attendance at community events), and one demographic factor (age). Parents' attitudes towards home language maintenance was significantly associated with language ideology factors (perceptions of cultural identity, belief in the importance of English language maintenance, belief that home language strengthens relative bonds and widens career options), and one demographic factor (income). The results can be used to assist families with Vietnamese heritage to maintain their home language by informing targeted approaches to supporting language maintenance at the community and family level.
ISSN:	0143-4632 1747-7557