This study explored the role of dinner table conversations in language socialization within three Chinese immigrant families in the U.S., examining how these interactions shape linguistic competence and cultural transmission. Analysis of audio recordings revealed that children in these families actively participated in language socialization, with older children playing a key role in socializing younger siblings, particularly in heritage language maintenance. The findings highlighted that older children, often more proficient in the family’s heritage language, acted as both recipients and agents of linguistic and cultural knowledge. Moreover, the study highlighted that birth order significantly influenced language socialization patterns, with older children frequently assuming the role of experts. The research also demonstrated that family routines and traditions were pivotal in strengthening children’s cultural identity and enhancing their connection to their heritage language. These findings underscore the importance of familial interactions in maintaining cultural values and supporting multilingual competence, particularly in multicultural and multilingual societies. This study contributes to understanding how everyday family interactions facilitate both language development and the preservation of cultural traditions among immigrant children.

中文翻译：

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“This is a Chinese vegetable”：在美国的华裔移民家庭餐桌上的语言社交


本研究探讨了在美国三个华裔移民家庭中餐桌对话在语言社会化中的作用，研究了这些互动如何塑造语言能力和文化传播。对录音的分析表明，这些家庭中的儿童积极参与语言社会化，年龄较大的儿童在与年幼的兄弟姐妹交化方面发挥着关键作用，尤其是在传统语言维护方面。研究结果强调，年龄较大的儿童通常更精通家庭的传统语言，他们既是语言和文化知识的接受者，也是语言和文化知识的接受者。此外，该研究强调，出生顺序显着影响语言社交模式，年龄较大的儿童经常扮演专家的角色。研究还表明，家庭日常生活和传统对于加强儿童的文化认同和增强他们与传统语言的联系至关重要。这些发现强调了家庭互动在维护文化价值观和支持多语言能力方面的重要性，尤其是在多元文化和多语言社会中。本研究有助于了解日常家庭互动如何促进移民儿童的语言发展和文化传统的保护。