MAINTENANCE OF THE CHINESE LANGUAGE IN THE UNITED STATES

Abstract

This article challenges the prevailing view that a non-English language in the United States will eventually shift to English over time. It argues that the status of a minority language is not determined by time but by social demographic, so ciopolitical, socioeconomic, and sociocultural forces. It attempts to isolate these forces by studying the Chinese language in the United States. Factors studied as favorable to Chinese language maintenance are the following: mass immigration; a concentrated settlement and residential pattern; the rising of the sociopolitical and socioeconomic status; a strong emphasis on cultural continuation and ethnic identity; an intragroup marriage pattern; interethnic cultural differences; close ties with the home country; growth of mass media; and the change of American language policy. An examination of the language status of an immigrant group provides insights into this group's social, political, economic, and cultural status.

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