Between identity and survival: heritage language ideologies among self-employed Chinese immigrant families in Catalonia
Li, Changchun (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Didàctica de la Llengua i la Literatura i de les Ciències Socials)
Vallejo Rubinstein, Claudia (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Didàctica de la Llengua i la Literatura i de les Ciències Socials)
Dooly Owenby, Melinda (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Didàctica de la Llengua i la Literatura i de les Ciències Socials)

Date:	2026
Abstract:	This study examines how Chinese immigrant parents in Catalonia, Spain negotiate heritage language (HL) ideologies. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with parents from nine self-employed families, it identifies three coexisting ideological orientations: HL as essence, capital, and ties. These orientations are shaped through a process of survival-oriented negotiation, involving the dynamic interplay of structural constraints, cognitive restructuring, and defensive responses to marginalisation and uncertainty. The study demonstrates that for self-employed immigrant families, HL maintenance is often a necessity rather than an elective cultural choice, thereby supporting a more class-conscious and contextually grounded understanding of family language policy.
Abstract:	本研究探讨了西班牙加泰罗尼亚地区的中国移民父母如何协商传承语意识形态。基于对九个个体经营（自雇）家庭父母的半结构化访谈，研究识别出三种并存的意识形态取向: 传承语作为本质、资本和纽带。这些取向是在一种以生存为导向的协商过程中形成的，其中交织着结构性限制、认知重构以及对边缘化和不确定性的防御性回应。研究表明，对于个体经营的移民家庭而言，传承语维护通常是一种生存必然，而非一种可有可无的文化选择。这一发现为家庭语言政策提供了一个更具阶层意识和立足于具体语境的理解视角。.
Note:	Ajuts: This work was supported by the China Scholarship Council (CSC), Grant No. 202408390030.
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, i la comunicació pública de l'obra, sempre que no sigui amb finalitats comercials, i sempre que es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original. No es permet la creació d'obres derivades.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió acceptada per publicar
Subject:	Language ideologies ; Heritage language maintenance ; Family language policy (FLP) ; Chinese immigrants ; Catalonia
Published in:	Language and intercultural communication, 2026 (Latest Articles. Published online: 02 Sep 2026) , ISSN 1747-759X

DOI: 10.1080/14708477.2026.2717169

Available from: 2027-03-02 Post-print 36 p, 409.4 KB

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