Language Shift in Migrant minority

**Introduction**

- Language shift means people gradually stop using their native language and start using a new language
from the wider society.

- This process can vary among individuals and groups, but eventually, the minority language gets
replaced by the dominant language.

**Factors Leading to Language Shift**

- Various social factors can cause a community to switch from one language to another.

- Migrant families are a good example of this shift, and it happens in countries like England, Australia,
New Zealand, and the USA.

**School as a Starting Point**

- For many migrant children, school is where they first encounter the dominant language, in this case,
English.

- Even if they watched English TV or heard English in stores, school requires them to communicate in
English with teachers and peers.

- Over time, English becomes their primary language, even at home with siblings.

**Home Language Transition**

- Some families, like Maniben's, may maintain their native language at home, but for many, English
gradually becomes the language spoken at home.

- Children discuss school and friends in English, and their parents start using English, especially if they
work in English-speaking environments.

**External Pressure**

- The wider society often exerts pressure on immigrants to conform in various ways, including language.

- Immigrants perceived as different may feel pressured to adopt the dominant language to fit in.

- Speaking good English is seen as a sign of successful assimilation.

**Generational Shift**

- Language shift can take several generations.

- Typically, migrants are mostly monolingual in their native language, their children become bilingual,
and their grandchildren are often monolingual in the dominant language of the host country.

**Observing Language Shift**

- We can track language shift by observing how people use different languages in various settings over
time.

In a nutshell, language shift in migrant families involves a transition from their native language to the
dominant language due to factors like school, social pressure, and generational changes. This shift can
be observed by monitoring language use in different contexts.

Language Shift in Non-Migrant Communities

**Introduction**

- Language shift doesn't always happen because of migration. It can also result from political, economic,
or social changes within a community.

**Example of Oberwart (Felsöör)**

- Before World War I, Oberwart was part of Hungary, and most people there spoke Hungarian.

- Due to the town's proximity to German-speaking villages, many also knew some German.

- After the war, Oberwart became part of Austria, and German became the official language, with
Hungarian banned in schools.

**Early Shift in Functions**

- In the 1920s, Oberwart was a small place where people used Hungarian among themselves and
German with outsiders.

- As the town grew, German started to play a more significant role, becoming the primary language for
school, official matters, and economic opportunities.

- German was seen as formal and distanced, while Hungarian remained for informal and friendly
interactions.

**German's Association with Progress**

- Learning German became essential for social and economic advancement, leading to the association of
German with progress.

- Speaking Hungarian was linked to being old-fashioned and rural ("peasantness").

- Young people began using German with their friends, and parents switched to using German instead of
Hungarian with their children.

**Expanding Domains for German**

- Over time, the domains where German was used expanded, while those where Hungarian was spoken
shrank.

- By the 1970s, even in religious settings, young people used Hungarian only when addressing God,
illustrating the significant language shift.

In summary, language shift can happen in non-migrant communities due to changes in political and
social landscapes. The example of Oberwart shows how German gradually replaced Hungarian in various
aspects of life, reflecting a shift in language usage and functions.

**Language Shift in Migrant Majorities**

**Introduction**

- Language shift often happens due to political and economic factors, particularly the need for
employment.

- This shift can occur when both migrants and the majority group move.

**Migrants’ Language Shift**

- People from regions like Ireland, Scotland, and Wales have migrated to England over the centuries,
often driven by the need for work.

- Learning English is crucial for their job success and social integration.

**Majority Groups and Colonial Powers**

- When colonial powers like Portugal, Spain, France, and Britain conquer other countries, their languages
often become dominant.

- These colonial languages are enforced along with their rule.

**Multilingualism and Linguistic Impact**

- In areas with a strong tradition of multilingualism, colonial languages couldn’t easily replace local
languages.

- However, in regions where just one indigenous language was spoken before colonization, these
languages were often threatened.

**English as a ‘Killer Language’**

- In such contexts, English has been called a ‘killer language’ as it tends to replace native languages.

- The group with political power imposes its language in institutions like government, education, and
religion, pressuring minority groups to adopt it.

**Examples of Language Shift**

- In New Zealand, Maori people shifted from Maori monolingualism to English monolingualism over
time.

- Many Aboriginal people in Australia and American Indian people in the USA lost their languages over
generations due to colonial rule.

**Dominance of the Majority Language**

- Language shift usually leads to the adoption of the dominant group’s language.

- The dominant language is associated with status, prestige, and social success, making it attractive to
minority group speakers.

**Social Status of the Dominant Language**

- The dominant language is used in prestigious contexts in society, such as formal speeches, news
broadcasts, and by popular figures like pop stars and models.

- Young speakers from minority groups often see these advantages and may abandon their native
language.

In summary, language shift in migrant-majority and colonial contexts often leads to the adoption of the
dominant language, driven by economic, political, and social factors. The dominant language is
associated with status and success, making it appealing to minority group speakers.