The Language Attitude of Cantonese Heritage Speakers and Intergenerational Language Transmission: Environment, Self-identity, and the Prospects of Cantonese as a Heritage Language in the 21st Century Netherlands

In this thesis, I explore Cantonese language vitality in the Netherlands in the early twenty-first century. Contributing factors shaping language attitude and intergenerational language transmission are discussed by gaining insights into heritage speakers' attitudes and views on intergenerational language transmission in light of declining numbers of spoken languages, and China's and Mandarin Chinese's growing importance. This study draws on 21 semi-structured online interviews conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic from September to December 2021 and is based on the experiences of the participants, both 1.5 generation and second generation, with varying degrees of Cantonese proficiency. The study applies constructivist grounded theory for its analysis. An analytical model is developed to understand the multivariable factors influencing attitude towards heritage languages. In this model, I distinguish two categories: the heritage speaker's environment and their construction of self...Show moreIn this thesis, I explore Cantonese language vitality in the Netherlands in the early twenty-first century. Contributing factors shaping language attitude and intergenerational language transmission are discussed by gaining insights into heritage speakers' attitudes and views on intergenerational language transmission in light of declining numbers of spoken languages, and China's and Mandarin Chinese's growing importance. This study draws on 21 semi-structured online interviews conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic from September to December 2021 and is based on the experiences of the participants, both 1.5 generation and second generation, with varying degrees of Cantonese proficiency. The study applies constructivist grounded theory for its analysis. An analytical model is developed to understand the multivariable factors influencing attitude towards heritage languages. In this model, I distinguish two categories: the heritage speaker's environment and their construction of self-identity. Grounded in the data, I argue that each category has two dimensions, although they are not mutually exclusive. In the former case, necessity and perception of the world may condition the heritage speaker. Concerning the latter, pragamtics and cultural identity also play a significant role in shaping one's attitude towards their heritage language. The findings reveal that a positive attitude prevails amongst the participants and that the majority wish to transmit their heritage language. Yet, due to their limited capacity to transmit Cantonese, the participants were equally pessimistic about the future of Cantonese. Put differently, a positive attitude does not ensure the Cantonese language vitality. As a result, Cantonese as a heritage language in the Netherlands is showing early signs of declining language vitality, prompting researchers, policymakers, Chinese community schools, national school staff, publishers, Cantonese content creators, and, finally, heritage speakers to reconsider heritage languages and seek appropriate ways to safeguard diasporic communities' cultural heritage.Show less

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The Language Attitude of Cantonese Heritage Speakers and Intergenerational Language Transmission: Environment, Self-identity, and the Prospects of Cantonese as a Heritage Language in the 21st Century Netherlands