About this Research Topic
Articles published in the first edition of this series can be read and downloaded here – Social and Affective Domain in Home Language Development and Maintenance Research
Multilingualism is a rapidly growing global phenomenon, with an increasing number of individuals managing multiple languages. This multilingual reality often leads to complex situations of language contact, where speakers of different languages interact and adapt. Such interactions frequently result in either language maintenance—where a heritage language is actively passed to the next generation—or language shift, where heritage language use declines, often by the second generation. This shift may stem from conscious decisions by parents or, in some cases, from children choosing to prioritize the dominant societal language. Many families, however, are motivated to raise bilingual or multilingual children, driven by cultural ties, educational advantages, and social identity.
Typically, a single, dominant language is acquired in formal settings, while heritage languages are nurtured within the family and through social networks. The reinforcement of these languages is often tied to positive associations created by parents and their social circles, which support language transmission and help children recognize the benefits of bilingualism or multilingualism.
The aim of this research topic is to bring together scholars exploring diverse aspects of home language development, with a focus on the social and affective dimensions of language maintenance. To this end, we invite studies that examine the following themes in multilingual family settings:
• Explore multilingualism and family language policy: How families structure their linguistic practices to promote multilingualism.
• Analyze digital literacies and practices: How digital environments and technologies influence language maintenance and usage.
• Examine translanguaging: The fluid language practices in multilingual households.
• Investigate bilingual socialization and media: How media consumption and social interactions shape bilingual development.
• Explore home language and education: The intersection between education and home language practices, including bilingual and multilingual special education.
• Understand perspectives of teachers and parents: How educators and parents view and support home language maintenance and development.
• Investigate intergenerational dynamics: The role of extended family, especially grandparents, in language transmission, and how generational perspectives influence family language practices.
• Consider language ideologies: The impact of societal attitudes toward language status and prestige on family decisions around heritage language use.
• Explore the impact of migration: The effects of migration on home language practices, with a focus on adaptation, integration, and transnational family dynamics.
• Compare urban vs. rural heritage language acquisition: How language maintenance differs between urban and rural areas, examining the influence of resources, community support, and linguistic diversity.
• Analyze language maintenance in the digital age: How digital platforms, social media, and online communities affect language practices in multilingual families.
• Examine policy and societal support: The role of governmental, educational, and institutional policies in supporting or hindering bilingual education and family language transmission.
• Investigate emotional and psychological aspects: How emotional ties to a heritage language (e.g., pride, shame, sense of loss) affect family decisions around language maintenance.
• Focus on early childhood language acquisition: Parental strategies fostering bilingualism from a young age, considering cognitive and social effects.
• Examine multilingual communities and social networks: How external social networks and community organizations influence language practices within the family.
This collection aims to provide a comprehensive exploration of how social and affective factors contribute to language development and maintenance within families across various contexts. We look forward to contributions that deepen our understanding of how social, emotional, and policy-related factors shape home language practices, offering insights into the global and local forces that sustain multilingualism across generations.
Multilingualism is a rapidly growing global phenomenon, with an increasing number of individuals managing multiple languages. This multilingual reality often leads to complex situations of language contact, where speakers of different languages interact and adapt. Such interactions frequently result in either language maintenance—where a heritage language is actively passed to the next generation—or language shift, where heritage language use declines, often by the second generation. This shift may stem from conscious decisions by parents or, in some cases, from children choosing to prioritize the dominant societal language. Many families, however, are motivated to raise bilingual or multilingual children, driven by cultural ties, educational advantages, and social identity.
Typically, a single, dominant language is acquired in formal settings, while heritage languages are nurtured within the family and through social networks. The reinforcement of these languages is often tied to positive associations created by parents and their social circles, which support language transmission and help children recognize the benefits of bilingualism or multilingualism.
The aim of this research topic is to bring together scholars exploring diverse aspects of home language development, with a focus on the social and affective dimensions of language maintenance. To this end, we invite studies that examine the following themes in multilingual family settings:
• Explore multilingualism and family language policy: How families structure their linguistic practices to promote multilingualism.
• Analyze digital literacies and practices: How digital environments and technologies influence language maintenance and usage.
• Examine translanguaging: The fluid language practices in multilingual households.
• Investigate bilingual socialization and media: How media consumption and social interactions shape bilingual development.
• Explore home language and education: The intersection between education and home language practices, including bilingual and multilingual special education.
• Understand perspectives of teachers and parents: How educators and parents view and support home language maintenance and development.
• Investigate intergenerational dynamics: The role of extended family, especially grandparents, in language transmission, and how generational perspectives influence family language practices.
• Consider language ideologies: The impact of societal attitudes toward language status and prestige on family decisions around heritage language use.
• Explore the impact of migration: The effects of migration on home language practices, with a focus on adaptation, integration, and transnational family dynamics.
• Compare urban vs. rural heritage language acquisition: How language maintenance differs between urban and rural areas, examining the influence of resources, community support, and linguistic diversity.
• Analyze language maintenance in the digital age: How digital platforms, social media, and online communities affect language practices in multilingual families.
• Examine policy and societal support: The role of governmental, educational, and institutional policies in supporting or hindering bilingual education and family language transmission.
• Investigate emotional and psychological aspects: How emotional ties to a heritage language (e.g., pride, shame, sense of loss) affect family decisions around language maintenance.
• Focus on early childhood language acquisition: Parental strategies fostering bilingualism from a young age, considering cognitive and social effects.
• Examine multilingual communities and social networks: How external social networks and community organizations influence language practices within the family.
This collection aims to provide a comprehensive exploration of how social and affective factors contribute to language development and maintenance within families across various contexts. We look forward to contributions that deepen our understanding of how social, emotional, and policy-related factors shape home language practices, offering insights into the global and local forces that sustain multilingualism across generations.
Keywords: Heritage Language, Majority Language, Multilingualism, Language Maintenance, Language Transmission
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
