Language proficiency and socio-cultural orientation of Turkish and Moroccan youngsters in the Netherlands

Abstract

In this study, data and discourses on immigrant minority groups and languages other than Dutch at home and at school are presented in order to contextualise the status of Turkish and Moroccan communities and their languages in the Netherland. Patterns of language use, choice and attitudes of Turkish (n = 63) and Moroccan (n = 64) youngsters in the Netherlands are documented and discussed. The findings of this study show that pride in one's socio-cultural and linguistic backgrounds is not coupled with maintenance of the community language. Arabic and Berber informants report high attachment to their cultural backgrounds but their actual community language use is very restricted compared to their Dutch language use. They clearly shift to Dutch in most domains of language use. Turkish youngsters, on the other hand, show strong language maintenance patterns and their socio-cultural orientation is congruent with their language behaviour. While Moroccan youngsters identify more strongly with Islamic practices, Turkish youngsters identify strongly with the Turkish language. This, in turn, suggests that strong religious attachment does not affect community language maintenance but a strong identification with the community language does contribute to language maintenance. Apparently, for Turkish youngsters, cultural self-awareness goes hand in hand with linguistic self-awareness.