ABSTRACT

In a present-day global world, immigrant communities manage multiple cultural and linguistic contexts. To better understand these cross-cultural connections, and bridge the fields of linguistics and transnationalism, the present study analyzes the interconnection between language use and symbolic transnationalism among heritage speakers of Spanish: 1.5- and second generation Cubans in Miami. While transnational studies address both the behavioral (physical) and symbolic (emotional) ties to the origin community, the role that language plays in establishing and maintaining symbolic transnational involvement, is not well-understood. Addressing this gap, a study was conducted with 75 young adults of Cuban origin residing in Miami. Statistical analysis, relying on correlation approach, was applied to analyze written questionnaires on language use and symbolic transnationalism. The results indicate strong evidence for overarching links between the level of symbolic transnationalism and language, such that greater affiliation with the culture of origin is related to a greater use and importance of the heritage language. Their direct correlation highlights symbolic transnationalism as a significant variable in sociolinguistic research with migrant communities, and thus provides a theoretical base for bridging linguistics and transnationalism. Moreover, this work emphasizes the importance of the context-based approach and cross-cultural awareness in language pedagogy.

摘要

在当今的全球世界中，移民社区管理着多种文化和语言环境。为了更好地理解这些跨文化的联系，并架起语言学和跨国主义的桥梁，本研究分析了西班牙语的传教者（即迈阿密的1.5代和第二代古巴人）在语言使用和象征性跨国主义之间的相互关系。跨国研究既探讨了与起源社区的行为（身体）和象征（情感）联系，但语言在建立和维持象征性跨国参与中所扮演的角色却未被很好地理解。为了弥补这一差距，对居住在迈阿密的75名来自古巴的年轻人进行了一项研究。统计分析，依靠相关方法，被用来分析有关语言使用和象征性跨国主义的书面问卷。结果表明，强有力的证据证明了象征性跨国主义和语言之间的总体联系，因此，与原住民文化的更多联系与遗产语言的更多使用和重要性有关。它们的直接相关性突显了符号跨国主义是与移民社区进行社会语言学研究的重要变量，从而为桥接语言学和跨国主义提供了理论基础。此外，这项工作强调了基于语言的方法和跨文化意识在语言教学中的重要性。因此，与原住民文化的更多联系与遗产语言的更多使用和重要性有关。它们的直接相关性突显了符号跨国主义是与移民社区进行社会语言学研究的重要变量，从而为桥接语言学和跨国主义提供了理论基础。此外，这项工作强调了基于语言的方法和跨文化意识在语言教学中的重要性。因此，与原住民文化的更多联系与遗产语言的更多使用和重要性有关。它们的直接相关性突显了符号跨国主义是与移民社区进行社会语言学研究的重要变量，从而为桥接语言学和跨国主义提供了理论基础。此外，这项工作强调了基于语言的方法和跨文化意识在语言教学中的重要性。