Language Attitude from four dimensions
Language attitude is affected by language identity, while the language attitude could also tell us the reasons behind language shift. There are four factors that determine the language attitude, which is self-identity, language preference, attitude towards the need for preservation of Chiu Chownese and the motivation to teach the next generation Chiu Chownese (Garrett, Coupland & Williams, 2003). We have conducted an interview to understand more about the Wu family concerning their use of Chiu Chownese. Let’s see what the Wu family say!
Self-Identity
Language attitude helps us see how do they form their own identity. The Wu family holds a positive attitude towards Chiu Chownese, as they do not think that speaking this language would be an act of degrading themselves, but they do appreciate the advantages brought by knowing one more language!
“It is fine to let people know that I could speak Chiu Chownese. It doesn’t affect that I am actually a Hong Konger, but just that I know one more language than other people.” - Emily Wu
“Knowing Chiu Chownese is nothing to be ashamed of, sometimes the better off Chiu Chow people are even proud to be a Chiu Chownese!” - Papa Wu
Language Preference
Since the Wu family has already settled in Hong Kong for years, they have adapted to the Cantonese dominated environment quite well. Although Chiu Chownese is their hometown language that is frequently used within the family, they prefer speaking Cantonese as it is more applicable in daily conversation.
“I agree that fewer young people know Chiu Chownese nowadays, but indeed my children speak Chiu Chownese only because of the need to communicate with their grandparents.” - Papa Wu
“I seldom take the initiative to speak Chiu Chownese, but I am fine with communicating in this language on occasion.” - Emily Wu
Need to Preserve Chiu Chownese
Even for the Wu family where Chiu Chownese is frequently used, most of them do not think that it is urgent to preserve Chiu Chownese. The first generation has a deeper connection to Chiu Chow and they would expect the third generation to preserve Chiu Chownese. As for the third generation like Emily Wu, they do not think that Chiu Chownese would be extinct in the foreseeable future, while they also do not have much feelings towards Chiu Chow as they were born and raised in Hong Kong.
“Perhaps our grandparents would expect the younger generations to still learn and preserve Chiu Chownese as they have a deeper emotional connection to their hometown Chiu Chow.” - Emily Wu
“I guess Chiu Chownese would not extinct within my lifetime, since it is still the dominant language in Chiu Chow. But if Chiu Chownese is really endangered someday, I don’t mind to make an effort in preserving it.” Emily Wu
Movtivation to teach Chiu Chownese
Although the wu family have a relatively strong Chiu Chownese family background, after living in hong kong for a long period of time, they do not have the motivation to teach their future children Chiu Chownese. This is because in the competitive environment in Hong Kong it is more important to acquire English and Mandarin, while in fact some of the younger generation themselves are not able to speak Chiu Chownese already.
“I would not expect my future grandsons and granddaughters to speak Chiu Chownese, as they are born in Hong Kong and it is not necessary to know it.” - Papa Wu
“I would not teach my own children Chiu Chownese in the future as it is not very applicable in Hong Kong, and I don’t find that it’s a pity as I personally don’t have much feelings on Chiu Chow.” - Emily Wu
“Actually I am also not very good at Chiu Chownese, so probably I would not be able to teach my children in the future.” - John Wu
Reference:
Garrett, P., Coupland, N. and Williams, A. (2003) Investigating Language Attitudes: Social meanings of dialect, ethnicity, and performance. Cardiff: U. of Wales Press.
