Family Language Policy in a Japanese-Taiwanese Intercultural Family : Life Stories of a Mother and a Child Upholding “One Parent-One Language Principle”

ニッタイ　コクサイケッコン　カテイ　ノ　カテイ　ゲンゴセイサク

ナカムラ, カナエ

Nakamura, Kanae

The Japanese Society for Mother Tongue, Heritage Language, and Bilingual Education

一親一言語の原則

国際結婚

台湾人母

ライフストーリー

This study examines the narratives of a Taiwanese mother and her adult daughter, who was raised in Japan under the strict “one parent-one language” (OPOL) principle, using a life story research framework. The analysis reveals that the daughter’s attitude toward bilingualism underwent a significant shift: from a rapid deterioration, marked by a period of negativity, to a more positive perspective in later years. The narratives highlight various challenges faced by both the mother and the daughter during this time. The findings underscore several key factors that enabled the mother to maintain adherence to OPOL: (1) the mother’s strong determination, (2) the father’s high proficiency in Chinese, and (3) the presence of English as a third language. Additionally, the following indirect factors are suggested: (1) the high oral proficiency of both the mother and the daughter, (2) the daughter’s emotional connection to Taiwan, and (3) the harmonious relationship between the mother and the daughter. Moreover, the daughter’s embarrassment about speaking Chinese stemmed from the stigmatizing and antagonistic attitudes she encountered in her social environment. The study argues that such issues require serious attention from contemporary Japanese society to foster inclusivity and support for bilingual/multilingual individuals.