Family Language Policy of an English-Turkish Bilingual Family in Northern Cyprus: A Case Study

This study investigates the family language policies (henceforth FLP) of an English-Turkish bilingual family in Northern Cyprus. It aims to find out the FLP of this family, and the interrelationships between the three elements of FLP, i.e. parents‟ language ideologies, parents‟ language management, and parents‟ language practice. This is a case study which employs the ethnographic method of inquiry to study the family. There are four data collection instruments: a semi-structured interview, a questionnaire, observation and field notes. The data was analyzed qualitatively in reference to the research questions. The results show that there are three specific strategies that this family employs to secure the intra family language: (1) In the house we speak English; (2) Switch to Turkish when there is a Turkish guest; (3) Disciplinary house rules and obedience are out of love. The latter two strategies are the unique findings which are not seen in the literature regarding FLP. They are based on parents‟ ideologies shaped by their socio-cultural background and local social norms and values. They both promote bilingualism – the use of English and Turkish. It is evident that the parents‟ ideologies play a leading role among the three elements of the FLP, but not without interactions with one another. Based on their own upbringing, parents in this case study purposefully embrace the local language and culture and aim to help their children develop an international identity. Some important implications for bilingual parenting and English teachers in a multilingual classroom are drawn at the end. Keywords: bilingualism, biculturalism, family language policy, parents‟ ideologies, language management, language practice, identity, Turkish