Family Language Policy among Newly Arrived First-Generation Turkish Adults in the Netherlands

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2024-10-28

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en

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The present study investigates the language ideologies, attitudes, and practices of newly arrived first-generation Turkish adults, who immigrated to the Netherlands due to the political issues in Turkey, regarding their family language policy and code-switching behaviour. This research employed a qualitative method through semi-structured interviews. The participants encompassed 8 first-generation adults from Turkey who moved to the Netherlands between the years of 2017 and 2021. They had all higher education levels, and applied for asylum due to political circumstances in Turkey. Data analysis was carried out utilizing Atlas.ti. Results show that recent immigrants, though highly valuing heritage language maintenance, are more balanced and pragmatic about the use of languages than earlier generations. Participants mostly code-switch for convenience flexibly; that is, they employ the words/phrases/sentences from the host language for easier and effective communication. They do not view the acquisition of the Dutch language as a threat toward their cultural identity but rather an integral part of the integration process.

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Faculteit der Letteren