Intersections between heritage, multilingualism, and education: language acquisition in India.
1Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India.
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
|November 6, 2025
Summary
Young Indians exhibit complex multilingualism influenced by heritage languages and education policies. This study reveals how these factors reshape linguistic profiles and impact first language (L1) abilities.
Area of Science:
- Sociolinguistics
- Language Acquisition Studies
- Indian Linguistics
Background:
- India's linguistic landscape features a hierarchy of official, Scheduled, and Non-Scheduled languages.
- Young Indians typically develop multilingual and multidialectal language trajectories, often including L1, Hindi, and English.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interplay between heritage languages, multilingualism, and formal trilingual education policies in India.
- To analyze how these factors influence the linguistic profiles and language dominance of young adults.
- To assess the impact on first language (L1) abilities and overall language acquisition.
Main Methods:
- A qualitative study involving over a thousand university-entering students.
- Utilized a modified Language Experience and Acquisition Profile (LEAP) questionnaire for self-assessment.
- Assessed fluency, literacy, domain of use, and language acquisition/loss timelines.
Main Results:
- Interactions between heritage language, multilingualism, and education policy lead to shifting language dominance.
- Formal education policies and multilingualism significantly impact individuals' linguistic profiles and abilities, particularly in L1.
- Observed changes in language dominance and potential attrition in L1 proficiency.
Conclusions:
- The concept of "heritage language" requires a more nuanced understanding within the Indian multilingual context.
- Educational policies and individual language trajectories interact dynamically, reshaping linguistic identities.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects on L1 maintenance and proficiency in highly multilingual environments.
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