How Effective Are the Different Family Policies for Heritage Language Maintenance and Transmission in Australia?

Abstract

The one-parent-one-language (OPOL) approach has traditionally been considered a widely recommended strategy for heritage-language (HL) maintenance in bilingual families. However, alternative strategies, such as both parents consistently speaking the HL, may be equally or more effective. This study examines families’ self-reported language policies and their perceived effectiveness in HL maintenance in Australia, where minority languages often hold lower status than English and receive minimal institutional support beyond the home. Using data from a nationwide survey of 280 families, we analyzed parents’ self-reported language-use patterns and their perceived impact on HL transmission. Most m..