A1 Journal article (refereed)
Family language policy among Kurdish–Persian speaking families in Kermanshah, Iran (2022)
Tamleh, H., Rezaei, S., & Boivin, N. (2022). Family language policy among Kurdish–Persian speaking families in Kermanshah, Iran. Multilingua: Journal of Cross-Cultural and Interlanguage Communication, 41(6), 743-767. https://doi.org/10.1515/multi-2021-0130
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Tamleh, Hadis; Rezaei, Saeed; Boivin, Nettie
Journal or series: Multilingua: Journal of Cross-Cultural and Interlanguage Communication
ISSN: 0167-8507
eISSN: 1613-3684
Publication year: 2022
Publication date: 12/09/2022
Volume: 41
Issue number: 6
Pages range: 743-767
Publisher: Walter de Gruyter GmbH
Publication country: Germany
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/multi-2021-0130
Publication open access: Not open
Publication channel open access:
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/83249
Abstract
Minority language studies have received increasing attention over the last decade in Iran. Drawing on Spolsky’s (Spolsky, Bernard. 2004. Language policy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press) language policy theoretical framework, this inquiry reports on the language ideologies, practices, and management efforts of an under-explored group of Kurdish families residing in the city of Kermanshah. To this end, semi-structured interviews and ethnographic fieldwork guided the collection of data from 40 Kurdish–Persian bilingual parents. The thematic analysis of data revealed glaring inconsistencies among the three elements of family language policy (FLP). That is parents’ strong attachment to Kurdish did not necessarily translate into their language practices and efforts. The results also suggest that the studied parents adopted a subtractive approach to their children’s proficiency in Kurdish. We argue that parents are not the core force in heritage language maintenance and there are other external factors determining the transmission of the home language.
Keywords: language policy; minority languages; national minorities; Kurds; Kurdish language; Persian language; bilingualism; language skills; families; Iranians
Free keywords: family language policy; Kurdish language; language ideologies; language management; language practices
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
Reporting Year: 2022
JUFO rating: 2
