A heritage language is a language that lives at home, in the family, in daily life. It’s not always the language you hear at school, at work, or in public. In the United States, English is the dominant language, so any other language that someone hears or uses regularly at home counts as a heritage language.
What makes it different from a second language? It’s how it’s learned. A second language is usually studied on purpose—through lessons, textbooks, or classes. A heritage language grows naturally. It is absorbed from daily life—through conversations, stories, songs, and family interactions.
Heritage languages carry more than words. They carry culture, family, memory, and identity. Even if someone isn’t fully fluent, the language feels familiar. It feels safe. It feels like home.
Who Qualifies as a Heritage Language Learner (HLL)?
A heritage language learner (HLL) is someone who grows up hearing a language that isn’t the dominant language in society. This usually happens at home or in a close-knit community.
Heritage language learners often:
- Understand the language better than they speak it
- Use it mainly at home or with family
- Feel a cultural or emotional connection to it
- See it as part of who they are
Fluency isn’t required. Perfect grammar isn’t required. Literacy isn’t required. What matters is that the language has been meaningful in daily life.
What Levels of Proficiency Do Heritage Language Learners Typically Have?
Heritage language learners often have uneven skills. Some parts of the language feel natural. Other parts are harder.
Typical patterns include:
- Listening is stronger than speaking
- Speaking is easier than reading or writing
- Pronunciation may be strong, but grammar or vocabulary may have gaps
This happens because heritage languages are learned through life, not through structured lessons. Listening and speaking develop first. Reading and writing usually need extra support.
Skills can change over time. Regular use keeps them strong. Less use can make skills fade. This is normal and doesn’t mean failure.
Why Do Heritage Languages Often Become Minoritized in Schools and Society?
Heritage languages often fade because schools and society focus on one dominant language. This doesn’t make them less valuable—it’s about access and opportunity.
Some reasons they become minoritized include:
- Schools focus mostly on English
- Heritage languages get little formal support
- Families may feel pressure to prioritize English
- Media and public spaces rarely reflect multiple languages
When heritage languages are used less, confidence can drop. When confidence drops, skills can fade. This is common for many families.
What Challenges Do Heritage Language Learners Face in Balancing Their Languages?
Balancing a heritage language with a dominant language can be tricky. Different places expect different languages.
Challenges often include:
- Switching languages depending on where they are
- Feeling strong in speaking but weaker in reading or writing
- Worrying about mistakes
- Heritage language skills being overlooked
These challenges are natural. They are part of growing up with more than one language.
Using multiple languages is actually a strength. It improves thinking, problem-solving, and flexibility. Maintaining a heritage language does not slow learning a dominant language. Often, it strengthens overall language skills.
Why Heritage Languages Matter
Heritage languages carry family, culture, and connection. They link people to their roots, their history, and their community.
Supporting a heritage language helps learners with the following:
- They stay connected to their cultural roots
- They can communicate fully with family and community
- Students can build bilingual and biliterate skills
- Learners feel confident in who they are
The bottom line
Heritage languages do not compete with dominant languages but complement them. When both languages are valued, learners grow more flexible and more confident. Even small, everyday actions help. Speaking regularly, reading, and having conversations in the heritage language keep it alive. Language learning is not about perfection. It is about connection, practice, and opportunity. Every word matters. Every moment counts.
They are a bridge to family, culture, and identity. Nurturing them strengthens not just language, but confidence, belonging, and self-understanding.
For guidance, tips, and resources for heritage language learners, get more info and resources online at Multilingohub.
FAQs
- What is a heritage language, and how is it different from a second language?
It’s the language you grew up hearing at home, the one that feels like family. A second language is usually something you learn in school. - Who is considered a heritage language learner?
Anyone who grew up with a language that isn’t the main one around them. You don’t have to be perfect—you just need to have grown up with it. - Why is it important to keep heritage languages alive?
Because it’s your family, your culture, your roots. Using it, even a little, keeps you connected and proud of where you come from.