The Importance of Language Classes for Aging Migrant Communities

老龄移民社区开设语言班的重要性

2021-07-06 00:50 multilingual

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In aging migrant communities, language barriers can create limitations on seniors’ way of life. In research conducted by linguists at The University of Groningen, it was found that limited second language (L2) proficiency can detrimentally affect seniors’ aging processes. In practice, this is not hard to imagine. For instance, an aging Indian immigrant in the United States who does not have strong English proficiency could have anxiety in social situations requiring communication in English. This anxiety results in migrant seniors turning inwards and communicating only with others who speak their native language, usually their family. Such isolation is detrimental as seniors then lose community and the ability to communicate with their peers. Currently, the primary language-based aid given to migrant seniors is translation assistance. For example, bilingual volunteers who help seniors through healthcare appointments. While these translation services are useful, they don’t help seniors gain agency over their own lives. If senior centers were to offer L2 language classes, migrant seniors would learn how to communicate on their own. This would build more confidence and could help them create a community in their new country. The importance of L2 language acquisition for migrants may seem evident. However, I will add that classes in any language can greatly ameliorate a senior’s life. While it may be easier to learn a new language as a child, research has shown that learning a new language over the age of 50 is not only achievable but can help with the retention of vital mental processes. The social aspect of aging can also be helped through learning someone else’s language. In many migrant communities people have arrived from different countries, and members at one senior center may not all speak the same language. Segregated groups can arise in senior centers with residents of multiple nationalities, as people gravitate towards whomever they can communicate with. Classes teaching the various languages present in a migrant community could help seniors connect with one another, and can also help seniors feel a sense of pride in their home nation and language. Oftentimes, when migrant communities assimilate to their new country, the language and culture of their home country get devalued. This is why many migrants with accents may feel embarrassed while speaking, even if they have strong L2 proficiency. However, if, for example, an Indian migrant was asked to aid in a class at their senior center in Hindi, they may begin to feel proud of their home language. Others taking an interest in their language could create a strong confidence boost for many migrants. This newfound confidence can greatly help migrant seniors overcome some anxieties about living in a new country. One of the most powerful tools a senior center can provide for its members is agency over their own lives, this is why they have classes for physical fitness and technology. Classes teaching languages would further create that agency and be especially useful to members of migrants communities.
在老龄化的移民社区,语言障碍会限制老年人的生活方式。在格罗宁根大学语言学家的研究中,发现有限的第二语言(L2)熟练程度会有害地影响老年人的衰老过程。在实践中,这不难想象。例如,在美国,一个年迈的印度移民如果英语水平不高,可能会对需要英语交流的社会状况感到焦虑。这种焦虑导致移民老年人转向内向,只与说母语的人(通常是他们的家庭)沟通。这种孤立是有害的,因为老年人会失去社区和与同龄人沟通的能力。 目前,向移民老年人提供的主要语言援助是翻译援助。例如,通过医疗保健预约帮助老年人的双语志愿者。虽然这些翻译服务是有用的,但它们并不能帮助老年人在自己的生活中获得代理。如果高级中心提供L2语言课程,移民老年人将学习如何自己沟通。这将建立更多的信心,并可以帮助他们在新国家建立一个社区。 L2 语言获取对移民的重要性似乎显而易见。不过,我要补充一点,任何语言的课程都可以大大改善高年级学生的生活。虽然在孩提时代学习一门新语言可能更容易,但研究表明,在50岁以上学习一门新语言不仅可以实现,而且有助于保持重要的心理过程。 通过学习别人的语言,也可以帮助老年人的社会方面。在许多移民社区,人们来自不同的国家,一个高级中心的成员可能都说同一种语言。隔离的群体可能出现在有多个国籍居民的高级中心,因为人们倾向于与谁交流 教授移民社区中各种语言的课程可以帮助老年人相互联系,也可以帮助老年人对自己的祖国和语言感到自豪感。很多时候,当移民社区同化到他们的新国家时,他们祖国的语言和文化就会贬值。这就是为什么许多有口音的移民说话时可能会感到尴尬, 即使他们有很强的 L2 熟练程度。然而,例如,如果一名印度移民被要求在印地语高级中心的课堂上提供帮助,他们可能会开始为自己的家庭语言感到自豪。另一些人对他们的语言感兴趣,可能会给许多移民带来强烈的信心提升。这种新发现的信心可以极大地帮助移民老年人克服对生活在新国家的一些焦虑。 高级中心为其成员提供的最有力的工具之一是代理自己的生活,这就是为什么他们有健身和技术课程。教授语言的课程将进一步创建该机构,对移民社区成员特别有用。

以上中文文本为机器翻译,存在不同程度偏差和错误,请理解并参考英文原文阅读。

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