Family Collectivism and Minority Languages as Core Values of Culture among Ethnic Groups in Australia

Abstract

The paper investigates the relative significance of family collectivism and minority languages as possible core values among four ethnic groups in the context of Australian society in which the English language and social structures of the majority group are dominant. The respondents were young adults drawn from Greek-, Latvian-, Italian- and Chinese-Australian backgrounds. The analysis of the personal statements gathered revealed a generally positive evaluation of minority languages for most groups, although the source of support for these languages varied. While a collectivist family orientation and the minority languages concerned were mutually supportive in three of the groups under investigation, the Latvian group showed a greater reliance upon ethnic school and other community structures for its survival and development. In the attempt to preserve their cultures in Australia, respondents from particular minority groups varied in the relative emphasis which they placed upon their language and family as the core value (s) of their culture. The findings revealed the possibility of a single, double or even triple set of core values which could support a minority group in Australia.

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