Abstract：
International immigrants’ adaptation to language life and satisfaction of their linguistic demands are precondition for successful integration into the host country’s society. However, current theories and studies on immigrants’ language adaptation are insufficient to support further research on the language adaptation of international immigrants in the host country. This study elucidates the connotation of language adaptation among international immigrants and its three structural dimensions: language attitude, language ability, and language use behaviour, based on prior language adaptation theories and extant research on language adaptation. Language attitude is further subdivided into three components based on this foundation: cognition,
affection, and behavioural intention. Language ability is further subdivided into oral and written communicative abilities. Language use habits and language use strategies are two subtypes of language use behaviour. As a result, a language adaptation theory for international immigrants is developed, and a closely related and structurally comprehensive measuring index system for international immigrants’ language adaptation is provided at the end. This study presents a theoretical framework for analysing international immigrants’ language adaptation, and may aid in the integration of immigrants into the host country.
原载Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, September, 2025, 1-17.
https://doi.org/10.1080/01434632.2025.2552328
