FROM MARGINS TO RECOGNITION: SECOND-GENERATION VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS AND THEIR HERITAGE LANGUAGE JOURNEY IN TAIWAN

Tóm tắt

This study explores the shifting role of Vietnamese as a heritage language among second-generation Vietnamese migrants in Taiwan within the broader context of globalization, transnational migration, and cultural diversity. Following Vietnam’s “đổi mới” reforms and Taiwan’s “go south policy,” increasing cross-border mobility and intermarriage have contributed to the emergence of a substantial Vietnamese immigrant community. Today, new Vietnamese immigrants represent a significant proportion of Taiwan’s new immigrants, leading to a growing population of second-generation children navigating multiple cultural and linguistic worlds. The study draws on qualitative data collected through in-depth interviews with 35 second-generation Vietnamese migrants and 17 Vietnamese new immigrants, conducted across several Taiwanese cities between 2023 and 2025. Findings indicate a growing recognition of Vietnamese as both a cultural identity marker and a practical linguistic asset, particularly in the context of Taiwan’s enhanced relations with Southeast Asia under the new Southbound policy. Despite enduring stereotypes and historical stigmatization, Vietnamese is increasingly embraced by second-generation youth not only as a means of communication, family bonding but also as a path to cultural affirmation and social mobility. This study concludes that sustained recognition and support from policymakers, educators, and communities are essential to ensure the vitality of minority languages like Vietnamese in Taiwan’s future.