Sustaining Cultural Identity through Intergenerational Language Transmission

Language is one of the most powerful carriers of cultural identity and collective memory. It reflects the historical experiences, social values, and traditional knowledge systems of the communities that speak it. The continuity of language largely depends on intergenerational transmission, a process through which linguistic knowledge is passed from elders to younger members of society through everyday communication and cultural practices. In recent decades, however, the increasing dominance of global languages, migration, urbanization, and changing educational priorities have affected the sustainability of many heritage languages. When younger generations gradually adopt socially dominant languages for academic and professional advancement, the use of ancestral languages often declines within families and communities.
This article explores the relationship between intergenerational language transmission and cultural resilience from a sociolinguistic perspective. It examines the role of families, community institutions, and educational systems in maintaining linguistic heritage. The paper also considers how digital technologies and contemporary media platforms can contribute to language revitalization by creating new spaces for cultural engagement. The discussion argues that sustaining heritage languages across generations is essential not only for linguistic diversity but also for preserving the cultural identity of communities in an increasingly globalized world.
Keywords: Intergenerational Language Transmission, Cultural Identity, Language Maintenance, Cultural Resilience, Heritage Language, Sociolinguistics