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- Title
THE TENDENCY OF LANGUAGE MAINTENANCE/SHIFT IN PAKISTANI IMMIGRANTS TO NEW ZEALAND: AN INDIVIDUAL'S PERSPECTIVE.
- Authors
Karim, Shahza; Haq, Naushaba
- Abstract
In multilingual language contact situations, a commonly observed phenomenon is the domination of one language over other minority languages. This dominant language affects the choice and use of other minority languages which may result either in language shift/loss through assimilation to the majority language group or loyalty to one's native language through conscious efforts for its maintenance. De Klerk and Barkhuizen (2005: 126) state that, though, language maintenance (LM) and language shift (LS) are associated with large scale linguistic trends, they can be investigated at a "micro level i.e. within a family or individually". The present study focuses on identifying the tendency of LM or LS in a single individual, a Pakistani immigrant to New Zealand. In order to investigate his tendency towards LM or LS, the researcher has focused on how various factors determine his use of language across various domains and what attitude he has developed towards the two languages (his native language "Urdu" and the majority group language "English"). The discussion of language use comprises of the participant's code-switching behaviour and compartmentalization (Fishman, 1991) across various domains of language use. Moreover, his opinion about the attitude of the host community towards his native language has also been discussed. The data has been collected through a semi-structured interview. The findings of the interview reveal that the participant has not moved in any one direction on the continuum of LM and LS; rather he is lying in the middle of the continuum with additive bilingualism. He has adopted the path of sustained compartmentalization (Fishman, 1991) of language use across various domains. The traditional domains like family, social and religious gatherings of the community are taken over by the native language, whereas social networks in the local NZ community provide a strong avenue for the continued use of English.
- Subjects
IMMIGRANT resettlement services; SERVICES for immigrants; REFUGEE resettlement services; IMMIGRANTS in motion pictures; SANCTUARY cities; DEPORTATION
- Publication
Kashmir Journal of Language Research, 2013, Vol 16, Issue 1, p205
- ISSN
1028-6640
- Publication type
Article