Routledge Language Brokering in Immigrant Families: Theories and Contexts

Language Brokering in Immigrant Families: Theories and Contexts brings together an international group of researchers to share their findings on language brokering―when immigrant children translate for their parents and other adults. Given the large amount of immigration occurring worldwide, it is important to understand how language brokering may support children’s and families’ acculturation to new countries. The chapter authors include overviews of the existing literature, insights from multiple disciplines, the potential benefits and drawbacks to language brokering, and the contexts that may influence children, adolescents, and emerging adults who language broker. With the latest findings, the authors theorize on how language brokering may function and the outcomes for those who do so. Review 'Children's language brokering is often crucial to their immigrant families' social incorporation trajectories. In this rich volume, Weisskirch draws together scholars from across disciplines, methodologies, and indeed the globe, to give this topic the foundational text it deserves and to provide exciting new avenues for where researchers might go next.' - Vikki Katz, Rutgers University 'Weisskirch has compiled an excellent set of chapters that, together, provide a refreshing perspective on an inevitable experience that immigrant families face as they transition to new lands. The volume is a must-read for scholars and practitioners dedicated to understanding how the nuances of immigration manifest in the lives of youth and parents across multiple settings and, importantly, across developmental periods.' - Adriana J. Umaña-Taylor, Arizona State University 'Language Brokering in Immigrant Families is the first of its kind. The contributors to this volume provide in-depth analysis, theoretical and empirical contributions, and ideas for further study about language brokering, an understudied yet relevant area in today’s discussion about immigration.' - Alejandro Morales, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona 'This volume provides an innovative account of language brokering, its functions within immigrant families, and its effects on the well-being and development of children, adolescents, and emerging adults. Is language brokering helpful or harmful for young people? The answer is "both" and "it depends" – and this volume provides many detailed reasons why.' - Seth J. Schwartz, University of Miami 'This groundbreaking volume brings together a wide range of research from across disciplines and around the world to address multiple dimensions of immigrant child language brokering―a ubiquitous and yet still largely invisible phenomena that shapes immigrant youth development. The authors raise critical questions for policy, practice, and theorizing and collectively make evident just how multi-dimensional and variable this practice is.' - Marjorie Faulstich Orellana, University of California, Los Angeles About the Author Robert S. Weisskirch, MSW, Ph.D. is a Professor of Human Development in the Liberal Studies Department at California State University, Monterey Bay.