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Language choice among immigrants in a multi-lingual destination

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Abstract

This paper analyzes the choice of dominant destination language spoken by immigrants in a multi-lingual destination. The empirical analysis is performed for Canada. Immigrants tend to gravitate to the official language that is closer to their mother tongue, that predominates in their region of residence and that has the broader labor market or economy. Bilingualism in the two official languages increases with the level of education in both Quebec and English Canada. French-only speakers among immigrants in Quebec tend to come from Romance language countries, have low levels of schooling, are recent arrivals and immigrated at an older age.

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Chiswick, B.R., Miller, P.W. Language choice among immigrants in a multi-lingual destination. J Popul Econ 7, 119–131 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00173615

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