High identity, low practice? Family language policy and ethnic language transmission orientation among minority families in China

This study investigates the relationships among ethnic language identity, practices, and transmission orientation among ethnic minority respondents in China within the framework of family language policy (FLP). Using a quantitative survey design, it models identity and practice as separate constructs, compares their score levels, and estimates their independent associations with transmission orientation. The five-factor model distinguished policy support, resource support, identity, practices, and transmission orientation. Respondents displayed a pronounced ‘high identity–low practice’ pattern. Identity was positively associated with transmission orientation, whereas the practice path became non-significant after identity was included; identity did not moderate the practice–orientation relationship. Transmission orientation refers to future-directed evaluations and expectations concerning intergenerational continuity, rather than realised transmission or children’s actual language competence. The findings suggest that favourable transmission orientations may be sustained by the cultural value and identity significance of ethnic languages even when everyday use is limited. These findings are interpreted as relationships observed within the sample rather than nationally representative estimates.