Quantitative Analysis: Language Use Practices of First-Generation Indian Migrants in Sydney, Australia

Transnational migration has become a significant feature of the 21st century. It has mostly been enabled by globalisation, which has facilitated the movement of people all around the world. Once migrants settle in the host country, their primary bridge between the home country, their heritage culture and experiences and the host country and culture is their heritage language. A loss in proficiency in the heritage language challenges and mostly damages or destroys this bridge. However, despite the significant roles played by heritage languages, there is a limitation of sociolinguistic research in this field, including that in Australia. Likewise, Indian languages are scantly researched, despite India being one of the top source countries for migrants to Australia. To fill in this gap, a PhD study was conducted to study the linguistic skills and repertoire of Indian migrants in Sydney, Australia. One of its main aims was to analyse the language use practices of Indian migrants. The quantitative method, using surveys in the form of written questionnaires, was the main method of investigation. 176 first-generation Indian migrants participated in the survey. This paper presents the quantitative analysis of the language use practices of the first generation in the home and public domains. The focus is on language(s) used in conversations between the participants and their children, spouse and siblings. The results show that although heritage languages are largely used intra-generationally, they are on a declining trajectory in inter-generational conversations. This could raise concerns about their maintenance and transmission to subsequent generations.