The Pain of Language: Language and Migration
The Heritage Language Learner: Identities, Language Loyalties and Challenges
Olga E. Kagan
Director, National Heritage Language Resource Center
University of California-Los Angeles
Comments from Karen Evans-Romaine
Department of Slavic Languages and Literature
4:00 pm, Monday, October 19, 2009
254 Van Hise Hall, 1220 Linden Avenue
Abstract
This paper will review the findings of an online survey of heritage language learners designed and administered by the National Heritage Language Resource Center (NHLRC) in 2006-08. The existing data of over 1,700 respondents from 22 languages offers a broad look at the linguistic proficiencies, identities and motivations of college age heritage language learners. It shows that while English is their language of education, in their everyday communications, heritage language learners continue to use both English and the home language. The data also reveals that many of the respondents have dual language and cultural loyalties that may create a challenge, or even a tension, both in the learner’s daily life and in the language classroom.
This lecture is free and open to the public. Sponsored by the Language Institute, with funding from the College of Letters and Science Anonymous Fund.
Contact: Dianna Murphy, (608) 262-1575
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