What is a heritage language?

A heritage language refers to a person's native language, home language, or ancestral language. This term is often used to describe the language that is passed down through generations within a family or community, allowing individuals to maintain a connection to their cultural heritage. Heritage languages can play a crucial role in identity formation and cultural continuity, especially among immigrant communities.

Understanding this concept is essential for recognizing the importance of language in personal identity and cultural expression. In contrast, other options address different aspects of language use that do not align with the definition of a heritage language. For instance, learning a language after a certain age does not necessarily relate to one's heritage. Similarly, languages used in professional settings or primarily in education fall under categories that do not specifically pertain to an individual's background or ancestral roots.