ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of the book. This book discusses the state-of-the-art research conducted on a group of Polish immigrant families based in Melbourne, Australia who strive to maintain their heritage language. It focuses on the actual interactional processes through which, as Fishman indicated, Family Language Policy (FLP) is realised, negotiated and modified. The book provides a sociolinguistic profile of the respondents having considered such variables as: geographical location (residence), gender-based distribution, age, education and qualifications, language skills, etc. It summarises the main research findings collected through the undertaken qualitative and quantitative approaches to methodology and emphasises the apparent evolution of parental beliefs towards a heteroglossic understanding of bilingualism. The book highlights how the study contributes to moving the focus in FLP research away from developing children’s heritage language proficiency towards understanding the lived experiences of bi-/multilingual families.
