Sources of variation in Galician multilinguals’ attitudes towards Galician, Spanish, English and French

Abstract

In this study we investigate the sources of individual differences in the language attitudes of 125 students enrolled in a language school in La Coruña (Galicia). Attitudes towards Galician, Spanish, English and French were found to be linked to self-perceived proficiency in all languages except Spanish. The type of upbringing (monolingual or bilingual) was found to affect attitudes towards Galician and Spanish. Age of onset of learning had an effect only on attitudes towards Galician. Exposure to foreign languages through television corresponded with more favourable attitudes towards these languages.  Visits to the foreign country had a similar effect on attitudes towards English but not French.  Gender had no effect on attitudes but age had an effect, with older participants having less favourable attitudes towards Galician and more favourable attitudes towards Spanish. A positive relationship existed between attitudes towards the four languages, with the exception of the relationship between Galician and Spanish.