"My language, your language": Thai mothers' expectations for their children's heritage language usage

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Author
Piyamahapong, Janejira
Keyword
Thai Americans
Thai language
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URI
http://hdl.handle.net/11122/11370
Abstract
Immigrant parents who share the same ethnic background usually have high expectations and positive attitudes toward their children's heritage language usage. They are willing to put their time, money, and other effort in order to pass their heritage language on to their second-generation children. This research looked at some of the cross-cultural marriage couples--Thai mother and American father, who together have U.S. born children, and the mothers' expectations for their children's heritage language usage. Specifically, it examined these mothers' lived experience through conversational interviewing. Thematic analysis was utilized as data analysis. Four major themes emerged during the analysis of data: (a) It's my child's future, I want the best for them, (b) I was struggling when I first moved here, (c) This is OUR language, and (d) Embarrassment and resistance. These themes allowed and structured the results of this study. Directions for future research include a study incorporating American fathers and mother's education.
Description
Thesis (M.A.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2011
Table of Contents
1. Review of related literature -- 1.1. Statement of the problem -- 1.2. Review of the literature -- 1.3. Theoretical framework -- 1.3.1. Cross-cultural adaptation -- 1.3.2. Component model of ethnic and cultural identities -- 2. Research contexture -- 2.1.1. Theoretical framework -- 2.1.2. Theoretical perspective -- 2.1.3. Research methodology -- 2.1.4. Method: conversational interviewing -- 2.1.5. Method: thematic analysis -- 2.2. Participants -- 2.3. Procedure -- 2.4. Researcher as a research tool -- 3. Narrative perspectives -- 3.1. Army's conversational interview -- 3.2. Amanda's conversational interview -- 3.3. Linda's conversational interview -- 3.4. Cassandra's conversational interview -- 3.5. Jessica's conversational interview -- 3.6. Erin's conversational interview -- 4. Human science research analysis -- 4.1. Theme one: It's my children's future. I want the best for them -- 4.1.1. Sub-theme: They might live in Thailand some day -- 4.1.2. Sub-theme: Pushing and forcing -- 4.1.3. Sub-theme: It's their life; They get to choose, not me -- 4.1.4. Sub-theme: It's very difficult -- 4.1.5. Sub-theme: I couldn't do it without him -- 4.2. Theme two: I was struggling when I first moved here -- 4.2. Theme two: I was struggling when I first moved here -- 4.2.1. Sub-theme: Language adjustment -- 4.2.2. Sub-theme: Work adjustment -- 4.3. Theme three: This is OUR language -- 4.3.1. Sub-theme: My child has Thai blood -- 4.3.2. Sub-theme: They cannot talk with their grandparents -- 4.4. Theme four: Embarressment and resistance -- 4.4.1. Sub-theme: My kids are embarressed -- 4.4.2. Sub-theme: My kids resist learning Thai and ignore me -- 4.5. Conclusion and prospects for further inquiry -- References -- Appendices.
Date
2011-05
Type
Thesis
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