Hey everyone! I wanted to share something that doesn’t get talked about enough: Heritage Language Loss
Heritage language loss is when someone gradually loses proficiency in the language spoken in their home (usually their parents’ native language) because they grow up surrounded by a dominant language like English. It’s really common in immigrant families and a lot more prevalent in Asian American households.
How it usually happens:
- 1st generation immigrants: fluent in their native language
- 2nd generation: understand it but prefer speaking English
- 3rd generation: may barely speak or understand it
It’s not that people choose to forget it. A lot of factors push this shift:
- Schooling is in English
- Social pressure to “fit in”
- Fear of having an accent
- Parents prioritizing English for academic success
- Lack of heritage language classes
Why it matters:
- Family communication gaps – It can get harder to talk deeply with grandparents or relatives who don’t speak English well.
- Cultural disconnect – Language carries humor, traditions, history, and values. When the language fades, sometimes those connections weaken too.
- Identity conflict – A lot of people feel “not ___ enough” (Korean enough, Mexican enough, etc.) because they can’t speak their heritage language fluently.
At the same time, this isn’t about blaming anyone. Assimilation pressure is real, especially in places where English dominates public life.
If you’ve experienced this, did you try to relearn your heritage language later? Did your parents push you to keep it, or did English just take over?
Curious to hear other people’s experiences.
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via Learn Online English Speaking
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