June 15-18: 9th Heritage Language Research Institute

  • http://nhlrc.ucla.edu/nhlrc/events/institute/2016/home

Heritage languages are learned early in life, either simultaneously with the dominant language or prior to the acquisition of the dominant language of the country. Early childhood bilinguals are often fluent in both languages, their home language and the dominant societal language. Furthermore, both languages influence each other in early childhood bilinguals. Many of such bilinguals grow up to become adult heritage speakers who are typically stronger in the dominant language and whose knowledge of the home language is less strong.