A survey of self-reports of language use, self-reports of English, Haitian, and French language proficiencies and self-reports of language attitudes among Haitians in New York.

摘要

The present study addresses the issues of language use, self-reports of language proficiency and language attitudes among Haitians in New York. It is designed to examine how these sociolinguistic factors impact upon the languages used by this language community. The questions raised in the study are the following: (1) In what domains are English, Haitian, and French used by Haitians living in New York? (2) How proficient do Haitians living in New York report themselves to be in English, Haitian, and French? (3) How does language use vary by the background factors of gender, age, place of birth, number of years in the U.S., religion, socioeconomic status, and marital status; proficiency, domain (formal and informal); age and social status of the interlocutors involved? (4) What attitudes do Haitians have about English, Haitian, and French? (5) Do self-reports of language attitudes about English, Haitian, and French vary by gender, age, place of birth, number of years in the U.S., religion, socioeconomic status, marital status, and proficiency? If so, how? and (6) Based on the self-reported linguistic attitudes, proficiencies, and usage of this language community, to what extent could different language policy options be explored by community agencies servicing this population/disseminating information and by public and parochial schools as medium of instruction for children of Haitian background?;Data was collected from 100 adult participants by means of a questionnaire, available in three languages. Ten parents were interviewed regarding the use of language and the role of Haitian language and culture in U.S. schools, as well as bilingual education.;The data suggests that Haitian is still predominantly an oral language and is the language of choice in the personal domains of family, friends, intimate relations and religious observances among this mostly young, first generation immigrant community. In the more formal domains of school, work, neighborhood and with professionals, English was the language that was most often used. This indicates that the Haitian community is already beginning to experience vernacular language loss as it gains proficiency in English. French was not used as a primary language in any domain. It is clear from the findings that attitudes toward a language are positively related to proficiency in that language. The data further suggests that Haitians in New York have several linguistic communities that represent varying levels of socioeconomic background and different degrees of acculturation.