heritage language

American  

[her-i-tij lang-gwij] / ˈhɛr ɪ tɪdʒ ˌlæŋ gwɪdʒ /

noun

1. a language used at home and spoken natively by the adults in a family, but often not fully acquired by subsequent generations whose schooling and other socialization occurs primarily in a different language, usually a dominant or official language in the surrounding society.

   I speak Polish as a heritage language, but I never studied it in school.

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Etymology

Origin of heritage language

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

It was the moment the United States lost what could have been one of its greatest advantages: a rich mosaic of multi-generational heritage language speakers.

From Salon • Feb. 12, 2026

Customs and Border Protection agents and consular personnel on the tribe’s cultural heritage, language and traditions.

From Seattle Times • May 13, 2023

The study shaped her organization’s work with parents and educators on how to sustain one’s heritage language and pass it on to future generations.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 31, 2023

The settlement will be placed in a not-for-profit trust to support "healing, wellness, education, heritage, language and commemoration activities" for indigenous Canadians over the course of 20 years, according to the government.

From BBC • Jan. 21, 2023

“To mispronounce our heritage language, especially when we know better, is to celebrate ignorance. And we’re in beautiful, smart, enlightened Austin, Texas. We’re better than that!”

From Washington Times • Oct. 19, 2014