Linguistic Integration of the Descendants of Foreign Immigrants in Catalonia

Abstract

This article analyzes the linguistic integration of the second generation of immigrants in Catalonia on the basis of the theory of segmented assimilation. The main objectives are to discover which factors help to determine the preference for the Catalan language (to the detriment of Spanish and the languages of origin) and the acquisition of written skills in Catalan among these young people. The sample comprises 3 578 descendants of foreign immigrants aged between 12 and 17.Various multivariable logistic regression models have been carried out on the basis of theoretically relevant predictors. Th e results of the analysis show that there are diff erent itineraries for linguistic adaptation among the teenage children of immigrants, refl ecting a linguistic segmentation. Th e text examines the theoretical and political implications of the results in the Catalan context.La integración lingüística de los descendientes de inmigrantesextranjeros en CataluñaResumenEste artículo analiza la integración lingüística de la segunda generación de inmigrantes en Cataluña a partir de la teoría de la asimilación segmentada. Los principales objetivos son conocer qué factores ayudan a determinar la preferencia por la lengua catalana –en detrimento de la castellana y las lenguas de origen– y la adquisición de competencias escritas en catalán entre estos jóvenes. La muestra la componen 3 578 descendientes de inmigrantes extranjeros entre 12 y 17 años.Se han efectuado diferentes modelos de regresión logística multivariable a partir de predictores teóricamente pertinentes. Los resultados del análisis muestran que hay distintos itinerarios de adaptación entre los adolescentes hijos de inmigrantes, lo que refleja una segmentación lingüística. El texto examina las implicaciones teóricas y políticas de los resultados en el contexto catalán.

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Keywords

• segmented assimilation
• linguistic preferences
• linguistic skills
• descendants of immigrants
• Catalonia

How to Cite

References

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