Immigrant languages and the Veneto dialect in the linguistic repertoires of secondary school pupils of immigrant origin in the Veneto region

Abstract

This study investigates the linguistic repertoires of children of immigrant origin in the Veneto region, which include Italian, the Veneto dialect and immigrant languages. Sociolinguistic questionnaires were distributed in three secondary schools in the Veneto region, to collect information on language choice and maintenance. A total of 149 pupils filled in the questionnaire, representing 23 nationalities. More than half were Moroccan, Romanian, Albanian, Moldovan and Chinese, the five main immigrant groups in the region. The results show different degrees of both maintenance and use of immigrant languages among different nationalities. They also reveal the use of the Veneto dialect in communication by second generation children with peers, classmates, within the family domain and in communication with native Italians (neighbours and in shops).