Speaker
Description
This presentation examines early language mixing in a 3-year-old trilingual child (Uzbek, Japanese, and English) in Japan using a short naturalistic audio recording of spontaneous play. Drawing on Wang (2024), the analysis shows that code-mixing functions in problem-solving, emotional expression, imitation, topic shift, and expression of camaraderie (peer awareness). These findings demonstrate that early language mixing is systematic, purposeful, and supportive of social interaction.
Keywords
Early language acquisition
Multilingualism
Code-mixing
References
Yamashita, H., & Li, M. (2023). Factors affecting home language literacy development in
Japanese–English bicultural children in Japan. Languages, 8(4), 251.
https://doi.org/10.3390/languages8040251
Wang, T. (2024). Language mixing of young children growing up in a Japanese and
Chinese environment: From the perspective of translanguaging. Bogo Keishogo
Bairingaru Kyoiku (MHB) Kenkyu, 20, 54-70.
https://hdl.handle.net/11094/102045 ir.library.osaka-u.ac.jp+2ndlsearch.ndl.go.jp+2
Abstract
Children growing up in multilingual environments often mix languages in daily interactions. Wang (2024) suggests that such early language mixing is not random and it has meaningful communicative and social functions. In Japan, previous research has also shown that the home environment and interactions with caregivers play an important role in supporting the use of heritage language alongside the community language (Yamashita & Li, 2023). However, little attention has been given to language minorities such as Uzbek families in Japan, despite the growing number of children from multilingual and migrant families in early childhood settings.
This presentation reports on a small-scale qualitative case study of a 3-year-old trilingual child exposed to Uzbek, Japanese, and English in an Uzbek household in Japan. The data consist of a 20-minute naturalistic audio recording of spontaneous play interaction. Using Wang’s (2024) functional model, the study investigates how the child’s language mixing functions, including problem-solving, emotional expression, imitation, topic shift, and expression of camaraderie (peer awareness). Among several influencing factors the home environment is highlighted as an important one for a child to make systematic and meaningful language choices.
The findings from this research project demonstrate that early language mixing reflects communicative needs and social relationships rather than linguistic confusion. Participants will gain a clearer understanding of how young multilingual children use language strategically and how supportive family environment can help with healthy multilingual development in early childhood.
Short summary
This presentation examines early language mixing in a 3-year-old trilingual child (Uzbek, Japanese, and English) in Japan using a short naturalistic audio recording of spontaneous play. Drawing on Wang (2024), the analysis shows that code-mixing functions in problem-solving, emotional expression, imitation, topic shift, and expression of camaraderie (peer awareness). These findings demonstrate that early language mixing is systematic, purposeful, and supportive of social interaction.
| Scheduling preference | Anytime on Saturday |
|---|---|
| Title | Early Language Mixing in a Multilingual Child in Japan: A Case Study |