This paper investigates dynamics of language use among heritage speakers of Faetar, a variety of Francoprovençal, in three migration contexts: the United States, Canada, and Switzerland.

Faetar, an endangered variety spoken in the Apulian villages of Faeto and Celle di San Vito (Italy) (Perta 2020), faces increased vulnerability as a heritage language (HL) in diaspora contexts (Nagy et al. 2018), where it competes not only with the dominant language of the host country, but also with regional varieties of standard Italian, which add complexity to the management of multilingual repertoires.

Using data from sociolinguistic questionnaires and interviews, we examine self-reported linguistic competence and language use across various domains and across generations. We investigate how both Apulian migrants and their descendants navigate their complex linguistic repertoires and manage language transmission, focusing on the interplay between Faetar, the dominant language of the host country, and standard Italian. By comparing the three migration contexts, we show how different social factors, particularly related to each migration history and context, influence the evolution of bilingualism and the destiny of HLs in each area. Preliminary findings reveal significant inter-community variation driven by these social factors.

In conclusion, this study offers valuable insights into the vitality of HLs in migration contexts, particularly those already endangered in their native country, showing how societal factors influence bilingual practices, intergenerational transmission, and ultimately shape the future of endangered languages. It enriches our insights into multilingualism in contemporary society, shedding light on the challenges bilinguals face in navigating diverse sociolinguistic environments.