Heritage language revival: digital media’s role in grandparent-grandchild interactions

Purpose: This study explores how Polish grandparents utilise digital media to support heritage language maintenance (HLM) in their Australian-born grandchildren. Focusing on family literacy practices, this research examines grandparents’ digital engagements during shared reading and media consumption. Design/ Methodology/ Approach: The study employs qualitative thematic analysis to investigate the grandparents’ methods, approaches and the effect of these actions. The sample includes two Polish grandparents and their grandchildren. Findings: The results have shown that intergenerational communication, the inclusion of digital stories and Polish cartoons facilitate the acquisition of vocabulary, foster cultural transmission and increase enthusiasm and participation. Grandparents foster essential heritage language maintenance, and digital storytelling can create a cultural and linguistic bridge, thus strengthening the children’s cultural identity. Originality: This paper advocates for considering the roles grandparents can play in the process of heritage language transmission and by thoughtful use of media, they can strengthen familial bonds and heritage connection to provide a solution for transnational families.