On the Many Dimensions of Complexity in Heritage Languages

Abstract

Abstract Heritage languages are often discussed in terms of their (reduced) complexity, but few attempts have been made to objectively measure the complexity of heritage languages. Here we explore various approaches to the investigation of language complexity, discussing three broad areas of inquiry: (i) attempts to objectively measure grammatical complexity, (ii) the potential role of socio-demographic factors in explaining variability in complexity, and (iii) considerations beyond grammatical complexity, which include the various aspects of complexity invoked when language is used for the purpose of communication. At each point, we highlight potential wisdom to be drawn from existing studies of heritage languages, which help to inform hypotheses for future study. The upshot is that complexity in heritage languages is itself a complex phenomenon – an observation that calls into question traditional characterizations of heritage languages in terms of an overall decrease in complexity.