Date of Award
8-2011
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Anthropology
First Advisor
Dr. Kristina Wirtz
Second Advisor
Dr. Ann Miles
Third Advisor
Dr. Bilinda Straight
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Campus Only
Abstract
The purpose of my research is to determine how elderly Dutch female immigrants in Michigan view the importance of preserving their native language and passing it on to their children after they immigrated. What do these immigrants now believe motivated them to continue, partially continue, or completely stop using their original language at different stages oftheir lives? What meaning do they now attach to their use or non-use of their native language? This research for my Masters Thesis is accomplished through personal in-depth life history interviews with elderly Dutch women in Michigan in retirement centers or in their homes. All ofthe interviewees were born in the Netherlands or had two parents who were born in the Netherlands.
Through the interviews, I find that each of the participants now believes she had her own multiple reasons and circumstances for maintaining or not maintaining the native language. My informants also share many experiences and struggles of immigration but also differ in how they approached these aspects, especially when it comes to the continued use of their mother tongue. My research demonstrates how important national identity remains after immigrating and that people see language as an important attribute of culture.
Recommended Citation
Friso-Engeln, Geertruida, "The Role of Language in Maintaining Ethnic Identity among Dutch-Americans in Michigan" (2011). Masters Theses. 408.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/408