INTERGENERATIONAL LANGUAGE USE AND ATTITUDE: A STUDY AMONG TAMIL BRAHMINS IN TRIVANDRUM

Abstract

‘Intergenerational language use and attitude’ refers to the way different generations within a language group take a stand towards their heritage language (HL). Immigrant families are one of the domains in which heritage language and culture are preserved and transferred to the younger generation in a different geo-political and socio-cultural context. Often, they face particular issues and challenges in supporting the intergenerational transmission of their heritage language, especially when the speech involved does not have high visibility and status in the surrounding society. This study aims to analyse the Tamil Brahmin community’s intergenerational language use and attitude in the Trivandrum district of Kerala. Variety of Tamil is the heritage language (HL) of the community and is in strong contact with Malayalam, which is the language of wider communication (LWC) in the state. The data for the study has been collected using an ethnographic research method. And, the study employed a qualitative analysis approach resorting to the ethnolinguistic vitality perception framework for analytical purposes. It is evident from the study that there is a difference in language use and attitudes in this community over generations.

Keywords

intergenerational language use, attitude, aging, language, ethnolinguistic vitality, tamil Brahmin, kerala, language, wider community.

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To cite this article

Saranya, S., & Darwin, L. (2022). Intergenerational Language Use and Attitude: A Study among Tamil Brahmins in Trivandrum. John Foundation Journal of EduSpark, 4(3), 1-14.