The interview aimed to address the question of what role language plays in the ethnic identities of second generation immigrants. While there is a broad body of work on the subject of migration and language spanning several fields, including population studies and sociolinguistics, much of the associated literature is based on quantitative studies. For instance, Rumbaut (2012) used survey data to examine immigrant families’ language retention rates, while Cherciov (2012) and Medvedeva (2012) respectively studied attitudes towards language, and language use within families using mixed methods. However, their use of questionnaires and structured interviews restricted discussion according to the researcher’s own assumptions, with little voice
…show more content…
She was chosen from a wider convenience sample of the researcher’s social group, and agreed to a request to sit down for an interview. To ensure confidentiality, all names and other significant identifying details were changed, and the original recording has been encrypted. Additionally, informed consent was established after informing Harman of her freedom to withdraw from the research, and explaining how the data would be used. While there was the potential issue of the interview causing some emotional strain with discussion of negative experiences or problems with privacy if sensitive information were shared, this was not the case here. However, these factors must still be considered in future interviews of a similar nature. Although other methods have been previously used effectively to study the topic of language and second generation immigrants, semi-structured qualitative interviews were the most appropriate for this particular question. Namely, they are unique in their ability to provide a framework for focusing on a specific area and maintaining some consistency as a result of guided prompts, while also generating the rich data critical for studying subjective personal experiences, as is the case with issues of …show more content…
She repeatedly describes English as a status symbol linked to the educated and affluent, while also linking it to problems of westernization and cultural dominance as “language is one of the many ways in which westernization is changing the way it is” (126). Even so, she also discusses language in terms of common ethnic and national identity: “I think language is a huge aspect in making people feel the common feeling, that national unity which … ties people together. It’s a huge part of it” (303-5). This shows a complex understanding of language in its role in shaping Indian ethnic identity, while also locating it in its political context. It also ties into theories by Anderson (1983) on how the establishment of common discourse through a shared vernacular provides the basis for imagined national
She was chosen from a wider convenience sample of the researcher’s social group, and agreed to a request to sit down for an interview. To ensure confidentiality, all names and other significant identifying details were changed, and the original recording has been encrypted. Additionally, informed consent was established after informing Harman of her freedom to withdraw from the research, and explaining how the data would be used. While there was the potential issue of the interview causing some emotional strain with discussion of negative experiences or problems with privacy if sensitive information were shared, this was not the case here. However, these factors must still be considered in future interviews of a similar nature. Although other methods have been previously used effectively to study the topic of language and second generation immigrants, semi-structured qualitative interviews were the most appropriate for this particular question. Namely, they are unique in their ability to provide a framework for focusing on a specific area and maintaining some consistency as a result of guided prompts, while also generating the rich data critical for studying subjective personal experiences, as is the case with issues of …show more content…
She repeatedly describes English as a status symbol linked to the educated and affluent, while also linking it to problems of westernization and cultural dominance as “language is one of the many ways in which westernization is changing the way it is” (126). Even so, she also discusses language in terms of common ethnic and national identity: “I think language is a huge aspect in making people feel the common feeling, that national unity which … ties people together. It’s a huge part of it” (303-5). This shows a complex understanding of language in its role in shaping Indian ethnic identity, while also locating it in its political context. It also ties into theories by Anderson (1983) on how the establishment of common discourse through a shared vernacular provides the basis for imagined national