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Assortative mating for cultural identification as indicated by language use
C T Nagoshi1, R C Johnson, G P Danko
1Behavioral Biology Laboratory, University of Hawaii, Honolulu 96822.
Behavior Genetics
|January 1, 1990
Summary
Japanese ancestry individuals in Hawaii exhibit assortative mating for language use, favoring "pidgin" and standard English within their own ethnic group. This language preference is linked to social homogamy, not direct genetic selection.
Area of Science:
- Sociolinguistics
- Cultural Anthropology
- Behavioral Genetics
Background:
- Assortative mating patterns reveal insights into social and cultural dynamics.
- Language use, including dialects like Hawaiian "pidgin", reflects significant cultural differences.
- Understanding mating preferences can illuminate the transmission of cultural traits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate assortative mating patterns for language use among Japanese Americans in Hawaii.
- To determine if language preferences (pidgin vs. standard English) correlate with in-group marriage.
- To differentiate between social homogamy and phenotypic assortment in explaining language-based mating patterns.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of marriage data for individuals of Japanese ancestry in Hawaii.
- Comparison of language use (pidgin and standard English) between homogamous and interethnic marriages.
- Sibling-spouse comparison to control for genetic and early environmental factors.
Main Results:
- Significant assortative mating for both "pidgin" and standard English usage was observed among Japanese ancestry individuals marrying within their group.
- Those marrying outside their group reported less parental exposure to "pidgin" and were less likely to speak it.
- Sibling-spouse analyses indicated that social homogamy, not active phenotypic assortment, explains language-based mating.
Conclusions:
- Language use is a significant factor in assortative mating among Japanese Americans in Hawaii.
- Social homogamy plays a crucial role in maintaining language-based cultural distinctions.
- Findings highlight the influence of social factors over direct trait selection in marriage patterns.