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Title:	Heritage legitimacy of mixed-heritage individuals lacking in heritage language abilities
Authors:	Mahanita Mahadhir (P52788)
Supervisor:	Nor Fariza Mohd. Nor, Assoc. Prof. Dr.
Keywords:	Mixed-heritage individuals Heritage language speakers
Issue Date:	16-Jun-2017
Description:	Despite being multilinguals, a sizeable proportion of mixed-heritage individuals in the non-western world lack mastery of their heritage languages. Consequently, their legitimacy as members of their respective heritage groups is often questioned. Hence, a multiple case-study was carried out to elucidate the perceptions of mixed heritage individuals regarding the aforementioned linguistic limitation; to explore their utilization of linguistic repertoire, communication strategies and cultural means in their quest to claim legitimacy; and to gauge the perceptions of their single-heritage family members on the legitimacy status of the former. The key theoretical framework components pertinent to this study are the Social Identity Theory, Essentialist Theory, Self-Categorisation Theory, Social Comparison Theory and Communicative Competence Theory. This study employed purposive sampling to recruit four mixed-heritage and four single-heritage participants. Data was collected primarily through semi-structured interviews and use of vignettes, which are short written scenarios participants respond to. Key findings indicate that mixed-heritage participants are generally disappointed and regretful for not mastering their heritage languages. Complete communication breakdown with single-heritage relatives is invariably avoided through usage of English and Malay varieties as well as other communication strategies. In attaining legitimacy, certain cultural markers are also accentuated. Evidently, such effort and indication of kinship interest are more valued by single-heritage relatives, than mastery of heritage language. The study also revealed an apparent need to address in-group shared responsibility in sustaining heritage languages. Contributions of this study include improved understanding of issues pertaining to mixed-heritage people's identity, communication, and legitimacy status, particularly in the Malaysian context. Additionally, the methodology employed in the study validated vignettes as a less intrusive alternative data collection instrument for research on mixed-heritage people. One of the pertinent further studies recommended is in-depth investigation on accommodation strategies used by mixed-heritage individuals in their communication with their single-heritage relatives.,Certification of Master's/Doctoral Thesis" is not available
Pages:	340
Call Number:	P51.M334 2017 tesis
Publisher:	UKM, Bangi
Appears in Collections:	Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities / Fakulti Sains Sosial dan Kemanusiaan

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