Mind the generation gap: Heritage language often lost by third generation
UALBERTA.CA -- UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA -- UAlberta study shows second generation immigrant families are key to preserving heritage language." The literature says that by the third generation the language is lost, but the shift that you're worried about happens in the second generation," said graduate student June Cheung. "When parents immigrate to Canada, they worry about their children learning English. They often speak to their children in English instead of their first language. This is when heritage languages are often lost." "It's important that you're using your heritage language at home." "Don't worry about your child acquiring English--this is something that will come naturally. The question is: will they hold on to their mother tongue?" ...
