Loving your grandparents: family relationship in shaping language policy
This study explores the influence of family relationships on family language policies and the preservation of local languages within the multilingual context of Samarinda, Indonesia. Utilizing Bourdieu’s concept of social capital, the research focuses on three families chosen through purposive...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
2024
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| Online Access: | http://journalarticle.ukm.my/25010/ http://journalarticle.ukm.my/25010/1/Gema%20Online_24_4_4.pdf |
| Summary: | This study explores the influence of family relationships on family language policies and the
preservation of local languages within the multilingual context of Samarinda, Indonesia. Utilizing
Bourdieu’s concept of social capital, the research focuses on three families chosen through
purposive sampling to ensure relevance to the study’s objectives. The participants include
grandparents, parents, and children, selected based on their diverse linguistic background and their
active engagement in intergenerational language transmission. The sample was designed to
understand how emotional bonds and intergenerational interactions impact children’s language
proficiency and aspirations. Through qualitative interviews, the study reveals that strong familial
ties, particularly with grandparents, foster positive attitudes and proficiency in local languages. In
contrast, limited interactions and linguistic disconnects contribute to a preference for Indonesian
over local dialects. The findings underscore the critical role of grandparents in maintaining
linguistic diversity and highlight the need for supportive family environments to sustain
bilingualism. This research provides a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics at play in
family language policies. It emphasizes the importance of intergenerational relationships in
preserving linguistic heritage. This study also discusses the implications of these findings for
language policy and planning, suggesting that efforts to preserve local languages must consider
the familial and emotional contexts in which these languages are used. Overall, this research
underscores the vital role of family dynamics in shaping language use and attitudes, advocating
for policies that support intergenerational communication and language transmission. |
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