Abstract
In this study, we elicited grammatical forms (oral production) from a group of child heritage speakers of Spanish (N = 45) in English and Spanish, using the morphosyntax subtest of the Bilingual English–Spanish Assessment (BESA), (Peña et al. 2014). A cross-sectional design was used with 25 participants in kindergarten and 20 in first grade. All children spoke Spanish at home and attended English rural schools. We controlled for L2 class environment and socio-economic status. Research findings indicated children produced more target structures in L1 Spanish. This project supports the view that sequential bilingualism and continuous exposure to the heritage language may assist heritage speakers to maintain some L1 structures (Miller and Cuza 2013; Pascual y Cabo and Gómez Soler 2015). Patterns of L2 development are also addressed.
Highlights
Heritage Speakers (HSs) are, by definition, bilingual individuals who manage to communicate in two languages
We looked at verbal production in the home language (Spanish) and in the official language of instruction (English) when the children are early in school age, in kindergarten (KDG) and grade 1 (G1)
Along with the progressive form, we looked at production of two generally late-acquired structures: Spanish subjunctive in the L1 and English passive sentences in the L2
Summary
Heritage Speakers (HSs) are, by definition, bilingual individuals who manage to communicate in two languages. The contexts in which HSs continue to use the heritage language and the social majority language at home and/or at school can affect their linguistic trajectory in either language and their resulting bilingualism proficiency [4,5,6]. Even if there could be a linguistic dominance shift early in life, HSs still communicate in the household language with friends and extended relatives later in life.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
