Abstract
Heritage Language maintenance provides learner tangible benefits in academic achievement, language acquisition, and career opportunity. Intangibly, it enhances the learner’s self-esteem and cultural identity. The case here reflects the Mandarin Chinese learning experience of three children who were born in the United States of a migrant family from Hong Kong where the Cantonese Chinese dialect language is more predominant. The learning effort was complicated by the parents’ native Cantonese Chinese dialect. The parents and children strived to balance the learning dynamics between Mandarin and Cantonese. The results of the study indicate that successful heritage language maintenance can be achieved with a robust language vitality environment, choosing the appropriate language school, and associating heritage language with a positive experience at home. Recommendations for parents are provided.
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Recommended Citation
Chan, Josiah
(2020)
"Heritage Language Maintenance: Research Review and Reflection of One Family Case,"
: Vol. 3:
No.
1, Article 5.
Available at:
https://jagworks.southalabama.edu/ectesol_review/vol3/iss1/5
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