10.4225/03/598bc8300b97b
Elizabeth Jane Bennett
Elizabeth Jane
Bennett
Attitude of the second generation Dutch in Australia to language maintenance and ethnic identity
Monash University
2020
Dutch ethnic identity
Dutch language social aspects
Dutch attitudes
Bilingualism
2020-05-27 23:24:47
Thesis
https://bridges.monash.edu/articles/thesis/Attitude_of_the_second_generation_Dutch_in_Australia_to_language_maintenance_and_ethnic_identity/5296549
The research project investigates the attitude of the second
generation Dutch in Australia to language maintenance and ethnic identity and
examines factors related to both aspects. The research data was collected
through detailed personal interviews with 100 members of the second generation
(including a small number from generation 1b.) Some of the data was analysed
quantitatively using computer-aided statistical analysis; other responses are
discussed primarily in qualitative terms.
<p>Responses to the questions concerning attitude revealed a
greater degree of interest in Dutch than is often generally assumed or can be
expected from the national census data. In addition, there was a desire on the
part of the majority of informants to pass on some elements of the Dutch
language to their own children.</p>
<p>Actual language maintenance was also claimed at a higher
rate than expected with almost all informants using some Dutch, even though the
majority of use ratings fell into the categories of ‘rarely’ or ‘sometimes’. Activities
with the potential to influence the use of Dutch – visiting the Netherlands,
association with Dutch organisations and attendance at Dutch classes –
attracted little participation from this second generation group at present,
even though there had been a greater degree of involvement in the past. Of
these language maintenance activities visits to the Netherlands were shown to
be most popular, with least involvement in classes in Dutch.</p>
<p>Two variables – frequency of use of Dutch and sex – emerged
as significantly related to attitude to language maintenance. A more positive
attitude and more frequent use were linked, and attitude was also shown to be a
possible predictor of use, which suggests continued use of Dutch in the future
for (at worst) the one third of the sample who recorded a positive attitude.
Females displayed a more positive attitude to language maintenance and were
more highly represented in several areas of language maintenance activity – use
of Dutch, visits to the Netherlands and attendance at Dutch classes. This may
be a reflection of Australian social norms, (in particular the encouragement
given to females to acquire a second language), or of different language use
patterns among females in general.</p>
<p>In terms of ethnic identity (and therefore extent of
assimilation), the majority certainly does not identify completely with
Anglo-Australians and almost all members of the group were aware of Dutch
influences still present in their lives today and could describe a number of
aspects of Dutchness. There was a significant link between ethnic identity and
frequency of use of Dutch.</p>
<p>The findings indicate that it is likely that Dutch will be
maintained by some members of the second generation in Australia, even if such
use tends to take the form of symbolic language maintenance. It must also be
acknowledged that the second generation is different from both first
generations migrants and Anglo-Australians, with whom they are often compared.
In fact, many informants appear keen to create or maintain a new identity which
incorporates traits from both the Dutch and Anglo-Celtic cultures and to have
that new ‘blended’ or dual identity acknowledged in a multicultural Australia.</p>