The Heart of Heritage: Sociocultural Dimensions of Heritage Language Learning

Researchers have not reached a consensus about a precise, scientific definition of a heritage language (HL) learner (Wiley & Vald´es, 2000). In North America, the term heritage language has been used to refer to an immigrant, indigenous, or ancestral language that a speaker has a personal relevance and desire to (re)connect with (Cummins, 2005; Fishman, 2001; Wiley, 2001). The term has been used synonymously with community language, native language, and mother tongue to refer to a language other than English used by immigrants and their children. In addition, HL students have been referred to as native speakers, quasi-native speakers, residual speakers, bilingual speakers, and home-background speakers (Vald´es, 1997).