3 Lessons from Our Language Survey

At Bol and Sol Books, our mission is to help South Asian families pass on their heritage languages and cultures to the next generation. We know that every family’s journey is different, and that so many of us are navigating this work with limited resources and community support.

That’s why we conducted a survey of nearly 100 South Asian caregivers raising young children in the U.S. and Canada. We wanted to better understand families’ language experiences, goals, and challenges, and use their insights to shape what we do.

Who took our survey?
The majority of participants:

• Identified as Indian women aged 25–44
• Were highly educated (over 95% had a bachelor’s degree or higher)
• Lived in the U.S. or Canada
• Had children aged five or younger (80% had at least one child under three)

Over one-third of caregivers (36%) reported having multiple heritage languages in their families, highlighting just how linguistically rich and complex our communities are. There were 17 different South Asian languages represented in our sample, with the most common languages being Hindi, Tamil, and Gujarati.

Here are 3 key lessons we learned from our survey participants:

Lesson #1: Caregivers Deeply Value Heritage Language Learning
Families really care about passing on their heritage languages.

• 92% of participants agreed or strongly agreed: “It’s important to me that my child(ren) learns my heritage language(s).”
• Caregivers emphasized speaking and listening as top priorities, more than reading or writing.
• Many noted that their own strongest language skills were verbal too, not literacy-based

→ What this tells us: Families aren’t chasing perfect fluency—they’re striving for connection. Everyday conversation, songs, and stories in heritage languages help children feel rooted in culture and community.

Lesson #2: Families Face Gaps in Heritage Language Resources
Despite their interest, many caregivers feel fairly unsatisfied with the heritage language resources in their home and community. And those who don’t share a heritage language with their co-caregiver reported even lower satisfaction.

Caregivers shared their most preferred resources for heritage language learning: 

And they consistently said they want more of all the above.

→ What this tells us: Heritage language learning doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It’s supported (or limited) by what families can access. There’s a need for more books and resources that reflect families’ identities and meet them where they are.

Lesson #3: Sharing Multiple Heritage Languages Is a Balancing Act
Over one-third of families reported multiple heritage languages in the home. Many described beautiful ways they share both:

• “We alternate and speak in Hindi and Punjabi, read books in both languages, and expose our child to different communities and temples.”
• “Each set of grandparents speaks their own language—Gujarati and Marathi.”

But they also shared major challenges:

• Caregivers defaulting to English as their common language
• Difficulty finding materials in less commonly spoken languages
• Feeling unsupported as mixed-race or interfaith families in community programs

Some families choose to prioritize one language, often because:

• One caregiver is more fluent
• It’s the shared language of the extended family
• It’s spoken by grandparents who live nearby and/or provide child care

→ What this tells us: There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Families need flexible, inclusive tools that can support more than one heritage language and reflect modern family dynamics.  

What this means for Bol and Sol Books
We’re so grateful to everyone who took our survey. Your responses are already shaping our future work. Here are some ways to stay connected with us:

1. Download our full survey report and share your thoughts with us on social media (@bolandsolbooks).
2. Sign up for our e-list to learn about future survey opportunities.

We hope this survey affirms what you already know: You’re not alone in wanting to preserve your family's cultural roots. And together, we can build the tools and stories that help future generations thrive. 

With Love,
Madhu & Neal
Co-Founders, Bol and Sol Books