Language maintenance and shift in the Greek community of Wellington, New Zealand

Abstract

The Greek Community of Wellington, New Zealand, consists of approximately 3000 people, born in Greece, Cyprus, New Zealand and other parts of Europe. This thesis surveys the language proficiency, use and attitudes of a sample of people from that community. A questionnaire was used as the main method of data collection, administered in most cases by a personal interview. The questionnaire contained questions on language proficency in Greek and English, language choice in the home, church and shops, language choice with a wide variety of addressees, language choice for various personal functions, and language attitudes towards the Greek language. It was found that there was a high degree of language maintenance in the Greek Community of Wellington, but there were clearly signs of a decreasing level of proficiency in the Greek language with each succeeding generation. Language proficiency also correlated significantly with degree of Greek language use and more positive attitudes towards the Greek language. Exposure to the Greek language accounted for a high level of proficiency in Greek after the first generation. There was a significant decrease in the use of Greek to various addressees. Women were using more Greek to children than men were, for instance. Intermarriage was also found to be a factor eroding language maintenance, but other factors are also relevant. The first generation view the Greek language as a core cultural value, while it does not have this status for later generations. Nevertheless, they hold positive attitudes towards Greek language maintenance. The main conclusion of this study is that with each succeeding generation, there is less Greek language proficiency and use, although attitudes towards the Greek language remain very favourable.