Three generations, two languages, one family. The case of Turkish in France and Norway
Résumé
Turkish is one of the most widely spoken immigrant languages in Europe (Backus 2013). Including first, second and third generations, there are about 18,000 Turks living in Norway (SSB, 2015), and 611,500 Turks living in France (Akinci, 2017).
This paper aims to explore language use, choice and maintenance and identity construction across three generations of Turkish immigrants in France and Norway. This is a presentation of two case studies. The outcome will contribute to the limited body of comparative research across three generations and between the two countries, and with one family in each country. We have collected data from both families in France and Norway through the same questionnaire and the same interview guide for three generations that were adapted specifically for them. The data were subject to content analysis. The paper addresses the following interrelated issues: 1) What are the intergenerational differences within the same family regarding language use and choice, and linguistic competence in L1 (Turkish) and L2 (Norwegian / French). 2) How do bilinguals’ language choice and use relate to family members’ identity construction? 3) Does language maintenance begin to fade among third-generation immigrants? 4) Is there a process of ongoing language shift towards L2 in Turkish families?
Our results show that there is strong evidence for the maintenance of Turkish even among the third generation in both cases. The first generations are dominantly Turkish speakers, however, second and third generations report that they are bilinguals and they have positive attitudes towards both languages.