language nest

English

Etymology

Calque of Maori kōhanga reo.

Noun

language nest (plural language nests)

1. (linguistics) A language revitalisation programme in which children and non-native speakers acquire the endangered language through immersion in special-purpose locations called 'nests'.
   • 2018, Leanne Hinton, The Routledge Handbook of Language Revitalization:

     From our viewpoint, getting a language nest established is essential. It is very difficult to remain motivated to use the target language on a regular basis if there is no circumstance that necessitates it.

   • 2018, Kenneth L. Rehg, Lyle Campbell, The Oxford Handbook of Endangered Languages, page 447:

     There are now language nests all over the world—Besides New Zealand and Hawai'i, there are language nests (and immersion preschools for endangered languages by other labels) in mainland United States (for example, the Esther Martinez fund of the Adminstration for Native Americans funded proposals for nine ongoing or planned language nests and other pre-school immersion programs in 2015.

2. (linguistics) The location itself.

See also

• kohanga reo