1、 Introduction

Introduced the definition and characteristics of ancestral languages, as well as the challenges faced by Singaporean Chinese families in inheriting ancestral languages. The article is based on field research and proposes the concept of "ancestral language governance", emphasizing the two-way nature, diverse subject participation, and interdisciplinary perspective of language governance. The study analyzed the ancestral language governance concepts and models of different types of Chinese families in Singapore, explored the role of the "embedding" mechanism in family ancestral language governance, and provided empirical and theoretical support for the inheritance of overseas Chinese ancestral languages.

2、 Research theory, objects, and methods

Introduced the theoretical basis, objects, and methods of the research. Emphasis was placed on the close connection between language and economic society, highlighting the importance of embedding theory in economics, sociology, and organizational theory. There is relatively little research on the embeddedness of Chinese immigrant families in Singapore. This study focuses on 11 Chinese families with different backgrounds. Using the case study method and combining theories of sociolinguistics and linguistic economics, this paper analyzes the concepts, models, and issues of ancestral language governance in the interviewed families, and explores the types and characteristics of embedded mechanisms in ancestral language governance.

3、 Types and characteristics of ancestral language governance in the interviewed families

Through interviews and participatory observation, Singaporean Chinese families are classified into three types of ancestral language governance: inheritance type, dual-use type, and conversion type. Inheritance oriented families use Mandarin as the main language of communication, and parents have high education and bilingual abilities. They adopt complementary governance concepts and domain specific governance models to cultivate their children's bilingual abilities in Chinese and English. The dual-purpose family adopts a collaborative concept and division of labor governance model in language management, where parents and caregivers work together to form a multi language communication pattern, helping children develop enhanced bilingual abilities. The conversion type family conforms to the national language policy, shifting from Chinese dialects to English as the main language, reflecting the projection of the national macro language policy into the micro language ecology of the family. The problems faced by three types of families in language governance include current language education policies that are not conducive to balanced bilingual development, insufficient examination diversion systems, limited Chinese language practice fields, a lack of high-quality Chinese language books, and negative attitudes towards Singaporean language variants.

4、 The ancestral language governance mechanism of the interviewed Chinese families

Studied the ancestral language governance mechanism of Singaporean Chinese families, including structural embedding, political embedding, cognitive embedding, and cultural embedding. New immigrant families adopt a dual embedding mechanism, with inheritance oriented families leaning towards their ancestral (nationality) country, and dual-use oriented families balanced embedding. Local Chinese families mainly adopt a single integration into Singaporean society. Political embeddedness shows that new immigrant parents have a strong sense of Chinese identity and a weak sense of national identity in Singapore. In cognitive embedding, parents believe that cultivating their children's Chinese and English abilities is equally important. In terms of cultural integration, parents have a high sense of identification with Chinese culture, but a low sense of identification with Singaporean local culture and European and American culture. These embedded mechanisms encourage parents to utilize the advantages of high education and cross-border family resources to cultivate their children into bilingual talents in Chinese and English. The bilingual ability of children from local Chinese families shows an uneven development trend of weak Chinese and strong English.

5、 Conclusion

Emphasize the crucial role of the family in the inheritance of ancestral language, and point out that governance concepts, models, and practical methods are the core elements of the family ancestral language governance system. Dual embedding is an important mechanism for promoting ancestral language inheritance, including structural, political, cognitive, and cultural embedding. Chinese families of different generations and backgrounds can achieve ancestral language inheritance even in the fifth or sixth generation through dual embedding. However, a single embedding in the host country's society may lead to the interruption of inheritance. With the increase of globalization and cross-border mobility, the phenomenon of dual or multiple embeddedness in Chinese families will become more common. Continuously monitoring these phenomena is of great significance for formulating international Chinese education and overseas Chinese language inheritance and dissemination plans, as well as for in-depth research on the regional and national characteristics of overseas Chinese ancestral language governance and the vitality and resilience of ancestral languages.