Inter-generational language shift and maintenance: language practice observed in Guangzhou Hakka families

Abstract

ABSTRACT Migration has often led to both social and linguistic changes as migrants want to establish a sense of belonging to the host community by adopting the local culture and language while remaining loyal to mother tongue. For this reason, migrants’ language ideologies and practices at home deserve research attention. This paper reports on a study that explored the language ideologies and practices of three Hakka-speaking families who migrated to Guangzhou (Capital city of Guangdong Province) over different time periods. The study involved the methods of semi-structured interviews, observing family language practices, recording and exploring how identified inter-generational language shifts unfolded. The results suggest that a combined use of Hakka and Putonghua is the most common language practice at home and children’s Hakka development varies. They also reveal that grandparents constitute the source of Hakka input for children and play a significant role in passing the language to the next generation.