The article refers to an in-depth investigation into migrant families in Italy and their plurilingual practices. In order to grasp the family language policy pursued to maintain heritage languages, the author focuses on the life stories and language biographies of migrant mothers. The article explores the complex and dynamic situation of eight families of African origin, highlighting the process of language transmission, and the function exerted by each of the languages used by the family members. The migrant mothers’ representations, their attitudes towards plurilingualism, and finally, the role of language education policy through the lenses of school life are here discussed in an effort to promote plurilingual practices and to overcome the school-family gap.

Migrant family language policies and plurilingual practices: from mothers’ representations to language education policies

E. Cognigni
2019-01-01

Abstract

The article refers to an in-depth investigation into migrant families in Italy and their plurilingual practices. In order to grasp the family language policy pursued to maintain heritage languages, the author focuses on the life stories and language biographies of migrant mothers. The article explores the complex and dynamic situation of eight families of African origin, highlighting the process of language transmission, and the function exerted by each of the languages used by the family members. The migrant mothers’ representations, their attitudes towards plurilingualism, and finally, the role of language education policy through the lenses of school life are here discussed in an effort to promote plurilingual practices and to overcome the school-family gap.
2019
9783862889303
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11393/248931
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