A Developmental Perspective on Language Brokering

Abstract

Accounting for the developmental periods of language brokers is critical to better understanding language brokering. Language brokering has been defined as the process whereby children interpret from one language to another for parents and other adult. The experience of language brokering may affect children, adolescents, emerging adults, and adults differently because of the unique characteristics of each developmental period and because of the varying role of parents in language brokering during each of these periods. The resolution of the Industry versus Inferiority stage may apply directly to children’s experiences with language brokering. In language brokering, children are thrust into larger social contexts, beyond the family, and have to interact with others when they translate. The cultural shift in the host country also may contribute to how youth experience language brokering. Children who arrive at younger ages may lack exposure to in-depth heritage language learning due to insufficient opportunities for heritage language retention, and they may shift quickly to English dominance.

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