Multilingualism in Emerging Diasporas

A Tibetan Case Study

Bibliographic Data

ID12814605
AuthorsSeonaigh Macpherson (0000-0001-8478-2852, University of British Columbia, corresponding author), Dawa Bhuti Ghoso (Statistics Canada)
Year2008
Volume2
Issue3
Pages188-216
Publication date2008-07-02
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueDiaspora Indigenous and Minority Education (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1559-5692 • E-ISSN: 1559-5706
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/15595690802145414
OpenAlexW2036188807
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited52

This study examines the multilingual and multiliteracy practices of a group of Tibetan female youths from South Asia (India, Bhutan, Nepal) newly arrived in Toronto, Canada (Nthinsp;= 24). The main data are derived from a questionnaire surveying their language practices across contexts indicating the roles of education, community, and society in multilingual maintenance and loss. In addition, this study considers how language ideology and the other sociocultural factors have impacted on participants' language and literacy preferences and practices. The results indicate specific multilingual and multiliterate patterns within the diaspora with differences between South Asia and North America. As female youths, the participants offer an indication of future trends in cultural and linguistic participation given the unequal influence of women on family language practices. We also acknowledge our Tibetan partners: the Office of Tibet and Tibetan Representatives to the Americas, Nawang Rabgyal and Tashi Wangdi; the Canadian–Tibetan Association of Ontario; Pema Tsewang Shastri; and Thubten Namdol for his Tibetan translation of the survey. We thank Dr. Julian Dierkes and Dr. Tsering Shakya of the Institute of Asian Research, University of British Columbia. Notes 1 This statement referring to “cultural genocide” in Tibet was made by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in an interview covered on NDTV and IND–CNN on Sunday, March 16th, 2008 following 1 week of significant protests in Tibet. 2 For a more comprehensive examination of the data collection and survey, see CitationGhoso (2007). 3 We are unsure why 1 Tibet-born respondent did not indicate that he or she had lived in Tibet (see Table 1)—perhaps because he or she left when only a newborn. 4 Although we developed short Tibetan language tests, it was decided by the researchers that the administration of language tests would dissuade many from participating in the survey. Even in the interviews, we felt the use of language tests might cause embarrassment and, again, dissuade participation or cause harm to participants. Therefore, we hope to develop other approaches to get an indication of proficiency, both through self-report indicators, as in the survey question, and through more in-depth discussions of language practices within the qualitative interviews (which are not covered or included in this article and discussion). Tucker, G. (Ed.). (2003). Language contact and change. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, 23()

Diaspora · Ethnic group · Ethnology · Geography · Ideology · Language contact · Language ideology · Languages of Asia · Linguistics · Literacy · Multilingualism · Neuroscience of multilingualism · Pedagogy · Political science · Politics · Sociocultural evolution · Sociology · South asia · Anthropology · Diaspora, migration, transnational identity · EFL/ESL Teaching and Learning · Gender Studies · Multilingual Education and Policy

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