Linguistic anxiety, insecurity, and fulfilment of bilingual parenting: Emotional complexities experienced by Chinese immigrant families

Abstract

This study explores the emotional dimensions of language within three Chinese–Australian families raisingMandarin English bilingual children. Employing ethnographic methods including interviews, observations, and the collection of literacy evidence, it delves into the families’ migration stories, language ideologies, and emotional experiences. Additionally, the study examines the factors influencing family language policies (FLPs) and the emotional climate surrounding language within these households. The research reveals that these families grappled with the dual challenges of maintaining their children’s heritage Chinese while ensuring their competitiveness in mainstream English. These societal and familial pressures conditioned parents’ emotions and the decisions they make regarding FLPs. The study uncovers the intricate interplay between parents’ emotional states, their children’s bilingual dynamics, changes in FLPs within the hierarchically constructed linguistic landscape. It underscores the significance of power relations in shaping FLPs and highlights the pivotal role of children’s heritage language bilingualism in contributing to the overall well being of the immigrant families.