An investigation of individual networks of linguistic contact among Vietnamese origin children in Australia

Australia is a linguistically and culturally diverse nation with migrants and refugees from different parts of the world. Among those are Vietnamese, the fifth largest community in Australia (after English, Greek, Chinese, and New Zealand). This study aims to examine three Vietnamese-origin children’s individual networks of linguistic contact to form a framework that assists in the community language maintenance in Australia. Several factors which contribute or impede Vietnamese language maintenance were identified. It is also suggested from the study that collective efforts from familial environments, school authorities and local communities are vital to the maintenance of community languages. For creating a literacy-rich environment, parents’ guidance and tutoring, and grandparents’ involvement are essential factors to contribute to the development and maintenance of community languages in general and Vietnamese language in particular.