Exploring Language Shift and Maintenance: A Review of Indian Subcontinental Diaspora in Multicultural Societies

Abstract

This study explores the complex dynamics of language shift and maintenance among broader Indian subcontinental diaspora communities residing in multicultural societies. It investigates the interaction of linguistic, cultural, and social factors that influence language shift and maintenance. The inquiry examines sociolinguistic interconnections of language shift and maintenance. These subtle interconnections in multicultural settings are crucial for understanding how diaspora communities negotiate their cultural identities while integrating into new linguistic and cultural environments. The exploration adopts a systematic and analytic approach to identify and analyze literature on language shift and maintenance. The selection criteria include relevance, timeframe, and geographical scope. The paper reviews reputed academic databases and peer-reviewed journals and the findings reveal that the second and successive generations among diaspora communities go through the process of language shift and attrition, resulting in the loss of their heritage languages. Therefore, language maintenance arises as a central concern for diaspora communities. Diaspora families, community organizations, and cultural institutions play vital roles in preservation efforts. However, linguistic and social pressures—the pressure to assimilation, language discrimination, and negative stereotypes—pose significant challenges to language maintenance. This study contributes to sociolinguistics and bilingualism by shedding light on the dynamic language practices of diaspora communities. The implications of this research extend to policymakers and community leaders and emphasize the need for inclusive heritage language policies, support for community-based language initiatives, and promotion of intercultural understanding to foster more equitable and inclusive multicultural societies.