Maltese and English language dominance and preference : perceptions and lived experiences of young Maltese adults

Abstract

Investigations of language preference and dominance in two typologically distant, majority languages within a context of established bilingualism seem to be inexistent, to the researcher’s knowledge. This study identified factors that could contribute to young bilingual Maltese adults’ language proficiency and dominance. It aimed to investigate how the bilingual speaker’s most used and preferred language was influenced by internal (perceptions, attitudes, proficiency) and external factors (bilingual language exposure, environmental attitudes, relationships), in a context where two majority languages, Maltese and English, can be used in virtually all domains. Four self-identified Maltese-dominant and four self-identified English-dominant participants were interviewed. The findings indicate that language preference and dominance were shaped by how Maltese and English were viewed as languages by the participants, their home and school environments, their drive to connect with others and the significant relationships they built throughout their lifetime. This implies that language dominance and preference are not static. Therefore, in planning language assessment and therapy, this fluidity and the internal and external influencing factors should be considered, to ensure the best intervention engagement and outcomes.