“It's One of Those Things That You Do to Help the Family”

Abstract

This article examines how immigrant adolescent development is shaped by the cultural and linguistic practice of language brokering. Framed by theories on interdependent/independent developmental scripts, the changing experiences and views of 12 Latino/a children of U.S. immigrants over 5 years were analyzed. It was found that translating is a relational, interdependent activity in which adolescents both help and receive help from family members. As adolescents, they extend this helping orientation beyond their household, but in these public spaces, they sometimes meet up with other developmental scripts. This article's examination of brokering's effects on immigrant adolescence leads to the discussion that one must consider the manner in which all adolescents and parents are negotiating independent and interdependent worlds.

Mental health risk factors associated with childhood language brokering

“…Although recent research has emphasised the positive benefits of bilingualism (e.g. Bialystok 2009;Dorner, Orellana, and Jimenez 2008), additional support from community members and school systems is needed to help language brokers develop useful skills and to help them cope with the stressors frequently resulting from their duties. Providing support through translation services in complex and stressful language brokering environments and schools can help foster positive mental health development.…”

“…As childhood language brokers mature, their quest for independence during the transition to adulthood also creates family conflict (Dorner, Orellana, and Jimenez 2008;Jones, Trickett, and Birman 2012). Language brokers may face conflicts between their own interests and their family obligations, particularly in balancing the demands of school, social life and other activities.…”

“…Tse 1995). Additionally, key life skills, such as reading bank statements, obtaining mortgages and financial planning, could also be attained (Dorner, Orellana, and Jimenez 2008).…”

When role reversal and brokering meet: Filial responsibility among young immigrants to Israel from the former Soviet Union.

“…We were also able to differentiate between cultural brokering and language brokering (translation), which was sometimes considered common (e.g., Domer et al, 2008).…”

“…For instance, language brokering has been considered a Stressor and a burden (McQuillan & Tse, 1995;Sy, 2006;Wu & Kim, 2009) and a depression-inducing factor (Love & Buriel, 2007). Yet it also is seen as having a variety of positive outcomes in cognitive (e.g., Domer, Orellana, & Jimenez, 2008;Orellana, 2003), motivational (Fuligini et al, 2005), emotional and social domains, including enhancement of interpersonal skills, selfconfidence, and social self-efficacy (Buriel, Perez, De Ment, Chavez, & Moran, 1998;Wu & Kim, 2009). Similar to traditional role reversal, brokering is usually considered to be a situation in which parents may become dependent on their children (e.g., Orellana, 2001), while the children may play a dominant role in immigrant families (e.g., Umaña-Taylor, 2003).…”