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Family Language Policies of Generation 1.5 Russian–Hebrew– speaking Parents in Finland

Author(s): Bloch, Gali

Date: 2026

Topics: Language, Israeli Expatriates, Main Topic: Other, Linguistics, Hebrew, Russian-Speaking Jews, Age and Generational Issues, Children

Abstract: This dissertation investigates family language policies (FLPs) among Russian–Hebrew bilingual Generation 1.5 Israeli parents and their multilingual children residing in Finland. It adopts Spolsky’s tripartite framework - language ideologies, management, and practices - and extends it by examining how parental bilingualism, children’s agency, and digital communication intersect to shape multiple heritage language transmission in a transnational context. Methodologically, the study includes three datasets: a survey of 36 Hebrew–speaking Israeli parents in Finland; semi-structured interviews with seven Russian–Hebrew bilingual parents; and excerpts from WhatsApp family communication from six participants. Thematic analysis of survey and interview data is combined with micro-interactional analysis of digital exchanges to capture both reported policies and enacted practices. Findings indicate strong support for multilingualism, with distinct ideologies attached to each language and code-switching between the languages. Language choices are often emotionally charged yet show an explicit commitment to children’s freedom to choose languages. Management strategies range from flexible and situational to well-planned and consistent; everyday oral use of a heritage language is prioritized over literacy; responsibility for heritage language instruction is consistently framed as parental. WhatsApp interactions reveal translanguaging as an everyday norm: children and parents draw on their full linguistic repertoires to co-construct multilingual familylects that not only express emotions and sustain relational closeness but also signal identity and fulfill practical communicative needs.