From Heritage Spanish to Chicano English: A Plurilingual Perspective to Language Shift in a Third-Generation Mexican-American Child in Los Angeles

Key Points

• To explore the language shift phenomenon in a third-generation Mexican-American child from Heritage Spanish to Chicano English.
• Qualitative analysis of language use in various contexts
• Observation of interactions at home and in the community
• Interviews with family members to assess language attitudes
• The child exhibits a dominant use of Chicano English over Heritage Spanish
• Social interactions influence the preference for Chicano English
• Cultural identity plays a significant role in language choice