Hub for Heritage Languages and Multilingualism
The Hub for Heritage Languages and Multilingualism is led by Dr Sabine Little, it brings together individuals and organisations who have an interest in working with and supporting multilingual individuals and communities.
The Hub for Heritage Languages and Multilingualism cements the University of Sheffield’s place in relation to local, national, and global research, innovation and impact. Fully embracing the University’s “Made Together” strategy, the hub’s purpose is to bring together like-minded people to effect positive change.
An open door policy
Unless specifically stated otherwise, students and the general public are welcome at all organised events. The hub intends to serve as a broker, linking academics with relevant research interests to community organisations, but, more importantly, serving communities by centering the experiences of those who may experience marginalisation due to their language and/or cultural backgrounds. As such, anyone is welcome to reach out in search of help and/or like-minded people. We also invite schools, organisations and governments to get in touch to understand how to work with and in multilingual communities.
What’s in a name?
In finding a name for the hub, a number of words were considered, specifically, heritage, home, and community languages. All three express situations were a language has a minority status, and as such requires special attention and focus in order to successfully exist alongside majority or societal languages. The hub’s purpose, therefore, is situated within the field of social justice, highlighting social disadvantage, prejudice, or raciolinguistic attitudes experienced by minority language speakers and learners.
Ongoing and Completed Projects
The multilingual children’s library
Growing up multilingual with Chinese heritage
Traditional Tales, Untraditionally Told
Lost Wor(l)ds - Multilingualism in Schools
Events
- Growing up multilingual with Chinese heritage - the film
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6th December 2024, 9-10.50am (online)
Join Dr Sabine Little and Dr Yue Zhou as they share the documentary film resulting from the “Growing up multilingual with Chinese heritage” project. Co-produced with seven young (age 11-16) co-researchers, a global and local research call explored children and young people’s lived experiences, culminating in a performance as part of Sheffield’s Festival of the Mind in September 2024.