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Family language policy and language shift in postcolonial Mozambique: a critical, multi-layered approach

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Abstract

This study seeks to understand the role of family language policy (FLP) in the process of language shift from Bantu languages into Portuguese, the powerful and prestigious language in Mozambique. The study is based on thematic analysis of semi-structured focus group interviews with urban middle class parents of young citizens born after the independence of the country in 1975. Drawing on a critical, multi-layered approach that recognises the national, institutional and interpersonal layers of language policy work, where FLP is located, this study contributes to question Fishman’s (Reversing language shift: Theoretical and empirical foundations of assistance to threatened languages, Multiling Matters, 1991; in: Bathia TK, Ritchie WR (eds) The handbook of bilingualism, Blackwell, 2006) view of family and intergenerational transmission as central for language maintenance, and to move beyond Spolsky’s (Language policy, Cambridge University Press, 2004; J Multiling Multicult Dev 33:3–11, 2012) tripartite model of language policy. We found that, pressured by a combination of instrumental, sociodemographic and politico-ideological forces, urban middle class parents choose to invest in the transmission of Portuguese to their children at the expense of Bantu languages, which is often in conflict with their sociocultural desires, particularly the desire to preserve their native languages and cultures, and to ensure intergenerational ties. We argue that this preference for the Portuguese language is contributing to pave the way for language shift in Mozambique. This is the first study to explore the drivers of language shift in the family context in Mozambique, contributing, among others, to understand the dilemmas and challenges faced by families in the management of bi/multilingualism in diglossic postcolonial contexts.

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Notes

  1. Frelimo stands for Frente de Libertação de Moçambique, that is, Mozambican Liberation Front. Frelimo is the ruling party since independence in 1975.

  2. Cf. “Mozambican bilingual community L1 Bantu-L2 Portuguese: Exploratory study” (Eduardo Mondlane University, Mozambique).

  3. This framework proposes to overcome the human versus non-human binary by understanding material and non-material realities as intertwined in a process of being and becoming together (see Chimbutane et al., 2022).

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Acknowledgements

This research would not have been possible without the financial support of Camões—Instituto da Cooperação e da Língua, Portugal. We also acknowledge the support received from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, where we are based. We extend our gratitude to all institutions which helped us identify the research participants and also provided the conditions for interviews to take place. A special gratitude and recognition to all participants who voluntarily offered their time and valuable insight to this study.

Funding

The research project “Mozambican bilingual community L1 Bantu-L2 Portuguese: Exploratory study”, which led to the results presented in this manuscript, received funding from Camões – Instituto da Cooperação e da Língua, Portugal.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Linguistics and Literature, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Campus Principal, Av. Julius Nyerere Nr3453, POBox 257, Maputo, Mozambique

    Feliciano Chimbutane

  2. Department of Languages, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique

    Perpétua Gonçalves

Authors
  1. Feliciano Chimbutane
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  2. Perpétua Gonçalves
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Contributions

Both authors contributed to the study conception and design. Data collection was conducted by FC, DL and FT. Material preparation and analysis were performed by FC and PG. The first draft of the manuscript was jointly written by FC and PG, and both authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Feliciano Chimbutane.

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The authors certify that they have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest or non-financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.

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This study complied with the ethical standards of anonymity, confidentiality, and informed consent set by Universidade Eduardo Mondlane. Participants were informed in advance about the objectives of the study, the way data would be collected, managed and analysed, including the procedures that would be taken to protect their integrity. All participants freely accepted to be part of the study. To ensure anonymity, codes are used to refer to participants in the study.

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Chimbutane, F., Gonçalves, P. Family language policy and language shift in postcolonial Mozambique: a critical, multi-layered approach. Lang Policy 22, 267–287 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10993-023-09658-3

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