Inter-generational transmission in a minority language setting: Stop consonant production by Bangladeshi heritage children and adults

Aims and objectives: The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of speech development across successive generations of heritage language users, examining how cross-linguistic, developmental and socio-cultural factors affect stop consonant production. Design: To this end, we recorded Sylheti and English stop productions of two sets of Bangladeshi heritage families: (1) first-generation adult migrants from Bangladesh and their (second-generation) UK-born children, and (2) second-generation UK-born adult heritage language users and their (third-generation) UK-born children. Data and analysis: The data were analysed auditorily, using whole-word transcription, and acoustically, examining voice onset time. Comparisons were then made in both languages across the four groups of participants, and cross-linguistically. Findings: The results revealed non-native productions of English stops by the first-generation migrants but largely target-like patterns by the remaining sets of participants. The Sylheti stops exhibited incremental changes across successive generations of speakers, with the third-generation children’s productions showing the greatest influence from English. Originality: This is one of few studies to examine both the host and heritage language in an ethnic minority setting, and the first to demonstrate substantial differences in heritage language accent between age-matched second- and third-generation children. The study shows that current theories of bilingual speech learning do not go far enough in explaining how speech develops in heritage language settings. Implications: These findings have important implications for the maintenance, transmission and long-term survival of heritage languages, and show that investigations need to go beyond second-generation speakers, in particular in communities that do not see a steady influx of new migrants

Complex systems in the history of American English

Kretzschmar 2009 has demonstrated that language in use, speech as opposed to linguistic systems as usually described by linguists, satisfies the conditions for complex systems as defined in sciences such as physics, evolutionary biology, and economics. This finding has strong methodological consequences for study of the history of American English. This paper discusses implications for the initial formation of American English and its varieties, with reference to Schneider 2007, as the product of random interactions between speakers of different input varieties of English. It also considers westward expansion of American dialects, with reference to Kretzschmar 1996, as an effect of proximity, especially along settlement routes. Finally, it describes how sociolinguistic discussions of more recent change should also be understood as occurring within the different intersecting scales of complex systems of speech in America

Blistering barnacles! What language do multilinguals swear in?!

The present contribution focuses on the effects of language dominance / attrition, context of acquisition, age of onset of learning, frequency of general use of a language and sociodemographic variables on self-reported language choice for swearing. The analysis is based on a database to which 1039 multilinguals contributed through a web based questionnaire. Results suggest that, according to the self-reports, swearing happens most frequently in the multilinguals’ dominant language. Mixed instruction, an early start in the learning process, and frequent use of a language all contribute to the choice of that language for swearing. Sociodemographic variables were not found to have any effect. Frequency of language choice for swearing was found to be positively correlated with perceived emotional force of swearwords in that language. Quantitative results based on answers to close-ended questions corresponded to participants’ responses to open-ended questions

Social and Psychological Factors in Bilingual Speech Production

Studies in the fields of bilingualism and second language acquisition have shown that both cognitive and affective psychological factors can influence individuals’ bilingual speech production. More recently, both experimental and variationist studies of bilingual communities have examined the role of social factors on bilinguals’ speech, particularly in cases of long-term language contact and minority-language bilingualism. The Special Issue brings together work on the psychological and/or social factors that influence bilingual speech production as well as work that uses different methodological frameworks. We examine the role of such factors on bilingual speech production in diverse contexts, in order to provide a more holistic account of the ways in which extra-linguistic influences may affect bilinguals’ speech in one or both of their languages

HOW TO PREVENT JAVANESE FROM LANGUAGE LOSS

This paper is going to tell us about how to maintain language in order still exists in society. Language is going to exist if the people still use to communication each to others. Considering language is so important so we have to keep on the language itself. Javanese is unique language in Indonesia, it has varieties in using. They often called language levels or in Javanese called “undo usuk basa”, Javanese has three language levels, and they are “ngoko, krama alus and krama inggil”. Javanese always has to be used for the existence in the world generally and in Indonesia especially. By looking the situations recently, Javanese is so dolorous in using. Many people prefer to use Indonesian language or English to communication at home and surrounding although they are Javanese. If it happens in long times later so possible that Javanese will be a language loss. To prevent from bad possibility, so we have to maintain Javanese in order still alive. This paper is going to explain us how to maintain Javanese in society, there are several ways can be conducted to keep on Javanese in society. The ways are like conducting Javanese as a subject in school, creating language events, practicing Javanese at home and surrounding, and conducting activities which useful to maintain language. By conducting some ways are expected Javanese still exists in society and this country. They all aren’t going to be successful without consciousness from those societies

The Effects of Mere Exposure on Responses to Foreign-Accented Speech

The present study examined the effects of repeated exposure to the accent (standard American English vs. Asian Indian) of a prospective college professor on participants\u27 cognitive reactions, affective reactions, and passage comprehension. Based on data collected from 115 undergraduate students, results showed that an Asian Indian-accented professor was perceived as being less competent, less likable, but more motivated than a standard American English speaking professor. In addition, the trustworthiness of the Asian Indian-accented professor decreased over time as well as participants\u27 negative opinions of the professor. Finally, the results of the study indicate that when listening to the professor\u27s foreign accent, participants\u27 passage comprehension declined over time. The implications of these findings are discussed

Teaching Chang-rae Lee’s _Aloft_: Exploring the Limits of Race and Ethnicity

Chang-rae Lees 2004 novel Aloft may not be his most famous work, but it is a highly effective classroom text. In its contemporary, multicultural, suburban setting, it portrays a world that students recognize; simultaneously, however, it can effectively challenge their assumptions about ethnic American literature. The novel centers on Jerry Battle, an amateur pilot who distances himself from his problems in his private jet, and explores the problems of four generations of his multi-ethnic family. The Battles, with both Italian and Korean heritage, are representative of the current landscape of race and ethnicity in America; mixed-race identities have become accepted and popularized through the election of Barack Obama, the visibility of celebrities such as Tiger Woods, Salma Hayek, and Shakira (to name just a few), and the changes to the U.S. Census in 2000 that allowed respondents to select more than one race when describing themselves. In its portrayal of contemporary demographics, Aloft contrasts with earlier classics of ethnic American literature. Commonly autobiographical or based closely on the authors life, such works have typically relied on factuality and personal identity to combat racism, educate outsiders, articulate the challenges of belonging to a minority group in the United States, and express pride in personal heritage and community. Aloft, however, is narrated by an Italian American character, rather than a Korean American like the author, causing students to question their expectations of ethnic writing. Furthermore, Jerrys identity provides a framework for discussing whiteness, so often an invisible category. As Jerry recounts his familys history, from impoverished immigrants to business owners, it is apparent that this upward mobility is bound up in the eventual acceptance of Italians as white rather than racially other (although the novel also helps to clarify continuing stereotypical attitudes toward Italian Americans). The Battle familys transition into whiteness also raises issues of class. Aloft highlights the ways that race and class are linked, and questions whether the American Dream is really achievable or sustainable. Finally, the novel features characters and situations that students are interested in; they enjoy discussing the characters decisions and exploring the books themes and symbolism. The appeal of the story itself helps the class to rethink their expectations about race, class, and ethnicity

Organizational Assimilation through Heritage Language Programming: Reconciling Justice and Bilingualism

The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to analyze the effectiveness of a heritage language Spanish program from the standpoint of organizational, curricular, and cocurricular practices. In this study, heritage language study was defined as having an emphasis on maintaining cultural awareness and language needs (Beaudrie, 2009) through cultural mediation, in which the experiences and identity of students are developed as areas of strength in the educational experience (Bennett, 2003; Gollnick & Chinn, 2004; Lovelace & Wheeler, 2006). The setting for this mixed-methodology study was an all-male Catholic secondary school. The participants in this study numbered 78 students in the heritage language courses and 10 faculty and administration members. The data collected pointed to significant areas for growth in the school’s distinction between heritage language learners and native speakers. The findings suggested the prevalence of the following themes: class and racial discrimination, student internalization of deficit thinking, and the power struggle between the power structure and Latino student population. The implications of this study were that the program would benefit from greater teacher preparation in terms of degree background, increased emphasis in activities that promote student verbal communication in the heritage language, and greater incorporation of varied classroom practices in order to empower students to achieve a proficient level of bilingualism and biculturalism

Computer-based Reading Recall on Sociolinguistic Research: Towards a Cross-disciplinary Understanding of Bilingualism

[EN] Global bilingual communities are a fascinating phenomenon that has received constant attention from different angles and disciplines. Sociolinguistic research has also turned interest towards what motivates change in these globalized settings, as well as psycholinguistic research has wanted to focus on the cognitive aspects of L2 speakers. With the widespread use of computer-based methods, it seems natural to add them to contemporary research as a way of understanding variation and change to a deeper level. Through the data I have collected, I debate in this article the importance of including computer-based tests as part of traditional variationist research. I argue that the traditional separation of methods and data collection has influenced the research process to a point where some new behaviors could be overlooked. In this article I report the relationship between cognitive adaptation and social experiences in the Colombian in the Philadelphia bilingual community, which becomes more proficient not only because of age and time of L2 learning, but also because of how welcoming their social circles are, as well as how diverse their friendships and workplaces are.Franco Rodriguez, C. (2023). Computer-based Reading Recall on Sociolinguistic Research: Towards a Cross-disciplinary Understanding of Bilingualism. Journal of Computer-Assisted Linguistic Research. 7:1-21. https://doi.org/10.4995/jclr.2023.18547121