Inter-Generational Language Socialization Practices of German-Speaking Migrants in the North of Finland

Bibliographic Data

ID5901160
AuthorsSabine Grasz (0000-0003-3841-9539, University of Oulu, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume10
Issue5
Pages94
Publication date2025-04-29
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueLanguages (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2226-471X • E-ISSN: 2226-471X
PublisherMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/languages10050094
OpenAlexW4410069267
LanguageEN
References cited19

This paper presents findings from an interview study of practices of home language socialization and maintenance of German among German-speaking migrants in northern Finland. The focus of the analysis was on the importance of the minority language German in families, the role of the regional varieties of German, different ways of socializing children with German, and informal and formal means of German language development and instruction reported by nine German-speaking parents and two bilingual teenagers in semi-structured interviews. Thematic analyses of the data showed that there are different beliefs and practices about home language acquisition and maintenance and language socialization in the family, but also similar challenges. The place of residence did indeed play an important role, as home language instruction was rarely offered, and contact with other German-speaking or multilingual families was often very limited. Some children therefore attend German-as-a-foreign-language classes at school, which was perceived as a challenge by some of the interviewees. Nevertheless, inclusive solutions could help multilingual children, even in rural regions, maintain and develop their home language

German · Linguistics · Political science · Social science · Socialization · Sociology · International Student and Expatriate Challenges · Linguistic Education and Pedagogy · Multilingual Education and Policy · Psychology

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