Maintaining Heritage Language Through Migration: Investigating Language And Literacy Practices Among Pakistani Families In Oman

Abstract

Drawing on insights from the new literacy studies, social theory, and multilingual literacies, this study explores the multilingual practices of Pakistani families residing in the Sultanate of Oman. It investigates what extra efforts parents and children make for the maintenance of their heritage language i.e., Urdu at home in a milieu where formal schooling requires the children to learn English, Arabic and Hindi, but they do not have any option to study their home language in a formal context which adds to the cognitive load on students. It further investigates the challenges faced by Pakistani families while engaging their children in Urdu literacy practices and how far these practices put the children to an advantage or disadvantage. Moreover, it also examines how these practices transformed during the lockdown imposed during the COVID-19 outbreak when children had to stay at home.  Recommendations for future action and research are offered.