Negotiating Marriage in Hmong Society, an Example of the Effect of Social Ritual on Language Maintenance
Author(s):
Dunnigan, Timothy; Vang, Tou Fu
Format:
Journal article
Citation:
Minnesota Working Papers In Linguistics And Philosophy Of Language, Volume 6, Issue Sept (1980). pp. 28-47.
Language:
English
Abstract:
Social patterns & language preference are discussed relating to preserving the Hmong language among a group of refugees living in the US. Use of the native language in kin relationships - & in particular in negotiating marriages - are discussed. It is concluded that social & kin relationships will probably account for preservation of the language in this country for at least several generations, because of the social benefits derived from participating in the traditional kinship-marriage structure. The process of negotiating the marriage contract is described in detail. B. Annesser