Language maintenance and language shift of the Maltese migrants in Canada : a follow-up to Sciriha

Abstract

This author investigates the levels of language maintenance and language shift among Maltese-Canadian immigrants living in Toronto, Ontario. The authors research on language use is compared with a similar study carried out by Sciriha in 1989. The results of the more recent study show that the Maltese language is used widely among first generation migrants, but the majority of second generation respondents do not use Maltese in many domains, if at all. Although most respondents believe that it is important to maintain the Maltese language and pass it on to their children, few actually speak Maltese to their children. As predicted by Sciriha (1989) the process of shift from Maltese to English is well underway for the Maltese living in Toronto.