NORTHERN PINGHUA PROFICIENCY AMONG HERITAGE SPEAKERS: INFLUENCING FACTORS IN A MULTILINGUAL CHINESE CONTEXT

Language proficiency plays a crucial role in heritage language maintenance by influencing language choice. Northern Pinghua, a heritage language spoken in rural multilingual areas of northern Guangxi, China, is undergoing a language shift. This study examines the self-rated proficiency of Northern Pinghua speakers and its relationship with demographic factors (age, gender, education, occupation, income) and home language use (frequency of Northern Pinghua, Guiliu Hua, and Mandarin). Data were collected from 34 participants using a closed-ended questionnaire. Results from group difference and correlation analyses indicate that: (a) age significantly affects proficiency, with speakers aged 36 and above reporting higher proficiency than younger counterparts; (b) males reported slightly higher proficiency than females; (c) home use of Northern Pinghua positively correlates with proficiency, while the use of Mandarin and Guiliu Hua shows negative correlations; (d) education and income levels do not significantly influence proficiency. These findings highlight the importance of home language practices and generational continuity in sustaining heritage language vitality. The study contributes to the understanding of heritage language dynamics in multilingual contexts and highlights the urgency of supporting language transmission within families.