Yes, there are academic studies that examine the relationship between heritage language proficiency (the ability to speak, read, or understand an ethnic or ancestral language) and economic and social outcomes among second-generation immigrants. Here’s a summary of what the research shows across income and societal outcomes:
📊 1. Income and Labor Market Outcomes
Key Findings:
Bilingual advantage: Some studies find that bilingual second-generation immigrants (fluent in English and their heritage language) tend to earn higher incomes than their monolingual English-speaking peers, especially when the heritage language is economically valuable (e.g., Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic). Language maintenance = cultural capital: Knowing the heritage language can offer networking advantages, access to ethnic markets, and better ties to family-owned businesses or multinational jobs that require multilingualism. But English remains key: Proficiency in English is still the strongest predictor of economic success in the U.S. and other English-speaking countries. Poor English skills typically lead to lower wages, regardless of heritage language fluency.
Notable Studies:
Chiswick, B. R., & Miller, P. W. (2002). “Immigrant Earnings: Language Skills, Linguistic Concentrations and the Business Cycle.” — Shows that knowing a second language is linked to higher earnings only when English proficiency is also high. Bleakley, H., & Chin, A. (2004). “Language Skills and Earnings: Evidence from Childhood Immigrants.” — Among second-generation immigrants, early exposure to English yields better wage outcomes, but bilinguals do slightly better than English-only speakers in certain sectors.
👥 2. Social Integration and Identity
Key Findings:
Stronger ethnic identity: Those who maintain their ethnic language often report stronger attachment to their heritage culture and lower levels of assimilation stress. Bridging cultures: Bilingual second-generation individuals often function as cultural brokers between their family and broader society, which can strengthen both family cohesion and cross-cultural competence. Social mobility: However, in some cases, language retention can correlate with slower cultural assimilation, especially if it coincides with lower English fluency, potentially impacting upward mobility.
Notable Studies:
Portes, A., & Rumbaut, R. G. (2001). “Legacies: The Story of the Immigrant Second Generation.” — A seminal work showing that biculturalism (including bilingualism) often leads to better psychological adjustment, educational outcomes, and family ties. Alba, R., & Nee, V. (2003). “Remaking the American Mainstream.” — Argues that language assimilation is a key part of the broader social integration process, but that selective acculturation (e.g., maintaining language while integrating) can yield better outcomes than full assimilation or cultural detachment.
🌍 Contextual Factors That Affect Results
Ethnic group size and cohesion: Larger, more cohesive ethnic communities (e.g., Chinese, Mexican) often support bilingualism and provide economic niches. Region and industry: Knowing Spanish in Florida or Mandarin in California can be more economically valuable than in rural areas. Family education levels: Language retention is more common and beneficial in highly educated immigrant families, where it’s associated with academic success and elite college admissions.
📘 Summary OutcomeBilinguals vs English-only Second Gens Income Slight advantage in some sectors (if fluent in both languages) Education Often higher due to stronger family cohesion and bicultural competence Social Integration Mixed: stronger ethnic identity but potentially slower assimilation Mental Health Better psychological resilience and lower family conflict
📊 1. Income and Labor Market Outcomes
Key Findings:
Bilingual advantage: Some studies find that bilingual second-generation immigrants (fluent in English and their heritage language) tend to earn higher incomes than their monolingual English-speaking peers, especially when the heritage language is economically valuable (e.g., Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic). Language maintenance = cultural capital: Knowing the heritage language can offer networking advantages, access to ethnic markets, and better ties to family-owned businesses or multinational jobs that require multilingualism. But English remains key: Proficiency in English is still the strongest predictor of economic success in the U.S. and other English-speaking countries. Poor English skills typically lead to lower wages, regardless of heritage language fluency.
Notable Studies:
Chiswick, B. R., & Miller, P. W. (2002). “Immigrant Earnings: Language Skills, Linguistic Concentrations and the Business Cycle.” — Shows that knowing a second language is linked to higher earnings only when English proficiency is also high. Bleakley, H., & Chin, A. (2004). “Language Skills and Earnings: Evidence from Childhood Immigrants.” — Among second-generation immigrants, early exposure to English yields better wage outcomes, but bilinguals do slightly better than English-only speakers in certain sectors.
👥 2. Social Integration and Identity
Key Findings:
Stronger ethnic identity: Those who maintain their ethnic language often report stronger attachment to their heritage culture and lower levels of assimilation stress. Bridging cultures: Bilingual second-generation individuals often function as cultural brokers between their family and broader society, which can strengthen both family cohesion and cross-cultural competence. Social mobility: However, in some cases, language retention can correlate with slower cultural assimilation, especially if it coincides with lower English fluency, potentially impacting upward mobility.
Notable Studies:
Portes, A., & Rumbaut, R. G. (2001). “Legacies: The Story of the Immigrant Second Generation.” — A seminal work showing that biculturalism (including bilingualism) often leads to better psychological adjustment, educational outcomes, and family ties. Alba, R., & Nee, V. (2003). “Remaking the American Mainstream.” — Argues that language assimilation is a key part of the broader social integration process, but that selective acculturation (e.g., maintaining language while integrating) can yield better outcomes than full assimilation or cultural detachment.
🌍 Contextual Factors That Affect Results
Ethnic group size and cohesion: Larger, more cohesive ethnic communities (e.g., Chinese, Mexican) often support bilingualism and provide economic niches. Region and industry: Knowing Spanish in Florida or Mandarin in California can be more economically valuable than in rural areas. Family education levels: Language retention is more common and beneficial in highly educated immigrant families, where it’s associated with academic success and elite college admissions.
📘 Summary
Outcome Bilinguals vs English-only Second Gens Income Slight advantage in some sectors (if fluent in both languages) Education Often higher due to stronger family cohesion and bicultural competence Social Integration Mixed: stronger ethnic identity but potentially slower assimilation Mental Health Better psychological resilience and lower family conflict
如此短视。这就是否定放弃自己文化和来处的回旋镖。
真正不自恨的父母，哪怕孩子中文差，也是花过钱花过力气努
力过的，孩子长大没啥可抱怨的。
对有些人，是需要金钱刺激的，尤其很多华人。
你以为发那么多贴的那些人真是孩子学不学中文？
就是一帮回不去，三观极歪的自恨党。
这些人自己孩子都那样了，伥鬼拉人下水那不可得说水里不会
淹死你，水里水草多美啊。
这些人现在就这幅又痴呆又坏的样子，将来得老年痴呆孩子听
不懂他说啥概率大得很。多年以后的回旋镖正中这些人眉心的
场景分外美丽，所以不用劝。聪明的家长爱学的孩子学啥都容
易。
原来是这样
习惯就好，原来早些年我也以为华人上的ID是真有困惑，后来发现这些人就是这些破事轮着来给年轻父母洗脑。什么孩子回不去，学了没用，学中文影响英文，中国很差，食物都有毒，父母不用管，因为都对不起你，他们会想出各种理由，就是劝你不要学中文，别回国，但不耽误他们整天在中文论坛拼命拉屎。
医生果然都是智商高的，病人都能教会他中文？
关键傻叉特希望别人也和他们一样。
公司里的abc，跟我都讲中文。 确实会拉近距离