Routledge Erased Voices and Unspoken Heritage: Language, Identity and Belonging in the Lives of Cultural In-betweeners

In a world where cultural identity is often defined by national borders, this book follows the compelling journeys of young adults caught between preserving the culture and language of their migrant parents and navigating societal pressures to fit into the country in which they were born. Through intimate “walk-and-talk” interviews, the book gives voice to young adults who reflect on their experiences growing up with multiple languages and cultures. These personal stories offer a rich exploration of language, place, and belonging that resonates with anyone familiar with the struggle to reconcile different worlds. The book provides an insight into their multifaceted lives, inviting readers into the intimate spaces where personal identity meets societal expectation. The book challenges conventional paradigms of cultural conformity and examines how these young adults define themselves beyond simplistic labels. Erased Voices and Unspoken Heritage offers fresh perspectives on why some second-generation migrants embrace, reject, or negotiate their heritage languages. It also critiques the harmful consequences of “passing” within homogenous constructs and highlights the broader implications for diversity, hybridity, and multilingualism. This thought-provoking book will appeal to anyone interested in the complexities of identity, race, and language in multicultural societies.