Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Date

2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

English

Committee Chair

Donald Fuentes

Committee Member

Evelyn Rose Wright

Committee Member

Rebecca Adams

Abstract

Abstract This qualitative study examines the Family Language Policy (FLP) of second-generation Iranian American (SGIA) parents regarding the maintenance of their heritage language (HL), specifically Persian, within two U.S. contexts: Orange County, California, and Memphis, Tennessee. Based on Curdt-Christiansen and Huang’s (2020) dynamic FLP model and Bronfenbrenner’s (1979) ecological systems theory, the research examines parental language ideologies and the impact of perceived ethnolinguistic vitality of their communities on their language ideologies. Semi-structured interviews and background questionnaires with ten families (primarily mothers, with some fathers) revealed complex and hybrid language ideologies. All participants expressed emotional and identity-related attachments to Persian, viewing the HL as integral to intergenerational connections and cultural transmission. However, pragmatic concerns, including educational opportunities, community infrastructure, institutional support, and socioeconomic factors, often led to prioritizing widely spoken and socially advantageous languages, such as English and Spanish. Orange County demonstrated stronger ethnolinguistic vitality and greater access to Persian-language resources, whereas limited resources and lower community support marked the Persian community in Memphis. The study showed how contextual conditions significantly shape parents’ language management decisions and efforts toward HL transmission. Despite strong emotional commitments to Persian, practical constraints led many families toward multilingual policies in which Persian holds a marginalized status. Findings reveal that FLP decisions are dynamic and contextually responsive, shaped by a negotiation among family histories, individual agency, institutional availability, and sociopolitical factors. The study contributes to the FLP literature by deepening our understanding of how second-generation immigrant parents navigate competing linguistic demands. It underscores the importance of community-level support in maintaining HL. The research concludes with recommendations for further studies that incorporate longitudinal designs, mixed-method approaches, and children’s perspectives to fully understand the interplay between family decisions and external sociocultural dynamics influencing the vitality of HLs.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to ProQuest.

Notes

Open Access

Download

Share

COinS
 

Archival Statement

This item was created or digitized prior to April 24, 2026, or is a reproduction of legacy media created before that date. It is preserved in its original, unmodified state specifically for research, reference, or historical recordkeeping. This material is part of a digital archival collection and is not utilized for current University instruction, programs, or active public communication. In accordance with the ADA Title II Final Rule, the University Libraries provides accessible versions of archival materials upon request. To request an accommodation for this item, please submit an accessibility request form.