The Significance of Bilingual Chinese, Malay and Tamil Children's English Network Patterns on Community Language Use Patterns

This study on three‐generation bilingual, trilingual Chinese, Malay and Tamil families set out to observe language use patterns during interaction within familial bilingual, trilingual networks. A shift in language use patterns from community language to English has been observed in school based surveys. This study surveyed three community language groups of Chinese, Malay and Tamil families, their use of community languages or mother tongue and their proficiency in the skills of speaking, reading and writing. The analysis shows that when parents’ community language proficiency in speaking is lower they tend to choose English as their preferred language. But if their proficiency is higher, they tend to choose either English or community as their preferred languages. But there are parents who tend to choose their community language in order to maintain their cultural identity. The study also provides some observations on what determines children's language choice codes. Children's confidence in their command of their community language and opportunities to use their community language has an effect on their language choice pattern. While their proficiency in English could be one of the factors, it is not the main determinant of their choice of language codes.