Language Use and Maintenance in Korean Migrant Children in Sydney

This study aims to find out to what extent Korean migrant children in Sydney have used and maintained their family language-Korean. In particular, the study examines in what ways the Korean community is attempting to maintain the language; to what extent the community resources to that end have been utilised; and the implications for language maintenance. It also examines whether or how Hallyu has impacted on the maintenance of language and cultural practices. The study is based on a survey and the subjects chosen for this study are 149 upper primary to junior high school students (Yr 4 -Yr 9) in Sydney. The findings suggest that the Korean children differentiate the languages they need to use according to interlocutors and situations. They are strongly royal to Korean when the interlocutors are adults but largely disloyal in almost all other situations. The paper addresses issues of motivational factors as well as other findings relating to the use and maintenance of Korean in the community. It argues that the children need more encouragement from both parents and the community to use the language in wider contexts and develop in them more positive attitudes towards language maintenance