A CASE STUDY OF LANGUAGE MAINTENANCE IN ISLAMIC CENTRES OF PAKISTANI COMMUNITY IN EAST AND SOUTH-EAST LONDON: INVESTIGATING LANGUAGE SHIFT

By

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would first like to express my gratitude for my research supervisor, colleagues, peers and family whose immense and constant support has been a source of continuous guidance and inspiration.

DECLARATION

I [type your full first names & surname here], declare that the following dissertation/thesis and its entire content has been an individual, unaided effort and has not been submitted or published before. Furthermore, it reflects my opinion and take on the topic and is does not represent the opinion of the University.

Signature:

Dated:

ABSTRACT

The importance of maintaining a minority immigrant language in addition to the host language after moving to a new land has often been questioned. After all, what is the value of having multiple languages, when it would be much easier to communicate in one? On the surface, this is, perhaps, a practical argument. However, proponents of such views fail to look deeper, to consider the personal, interpersonal and societal benefits of bilingualism and the cost of surrendering one's native language. Religion has been recognised as a highly significant factor influencing language maintenance and shift. It has been found to play both a positive and negative role, that is, the Islamic can be a positive force supporting the maintenance of the minority language or a negative force, resulting in shift to the majority language. The first chapter provides a brief introduction to the topic, covering the problem statement, research questions, and significance. The second chapter deals with the literature review. The conceptual framework is also presented in this chapter. The methodology is presented in the third chapter. The researcher has used case study research method, with qualitative approach. The fourth chapter provides analysis of findings, gathered from the interviews from selected participants of Pakistani origin, living in the United Kingdom. The fifth chapter concludes the dissertation, providing implications and suggestions for future research.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTI

DECLARATIONII

ABSTRACTIII

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

Background of the Study1

Problem Statement2

Purpose of the Study3

Aim of the Study3

Rationale of the Study4

Research Questions4

Significance of the Study5

Structure of the Thesis6

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW7

Theoretical Framework7

Language Maintenance and Religion8

Effects of Religion on Minority Language Maintenance8

UK Islamic Centres and Intergenerational Language Conflict9

Ethnolinguistic Identity Theory12

Language Loyalty13

Language Attitudes and Practices14

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY19

Research Method19

Research Strategy19

Sample Selection21

Data Collection22

Questionnaire Instrument24

Reliability and Validity25

Ethical Considerations27

CHAPTER 4: FINDINGS AND ANALYSIS28

Interview Analysis28

Factors Promoting Urdu and Arabic Language Maintenance29

Attitudes toward Urdu, Arabic, and English Languages30

Motivations for Speaking Urdu and Arabic Languages32

Maintaining Urdu and Arabic Languages in Home and Educacion34

Children's Indifference towards Maintaining their Heritage Language37

Discussion38

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION42

Summary42

Implications of the Study43

Limitations of the Study45

Conclusion46

Recommendations for Future Research47

REFERENCES49

APPENDIX - A59

APPENDIX - B60

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Large-scale interest in language minorities and heritage language practices in the United Kingdom began in the 1960s (Cummins, 2006, 25). Scholars such as Chew & Ghim, (2006) began to investigate the needs of language minority populations and how to best support them in the school context. To begin supporting language minorities, educators must understand students' family backgrounds.

Through social interactions with family and ...