Mapping and tracing shifts in family language policy research on heritage language maintenance (2020–2024): insights from a time of global disruption

Recently, global disruptions like the pandemic, geopolitical tensions, and technological shifts have reshaped how transnational families handle language practices and heritage language (HL) transmission. This highlights the need to reassess family language policy (FLP) research amid shifting societal conditions and emerging challenges to HL maintenance (HLM). This study aimed to: 1) systematically map the academic landscape of FLP research on HLM, and 2) identify thematic developments, knowledge structures, and emerging directions in response to these disruptions. 195 empirical studies on transnational FLP (2020–2024) were retrieved from the Web of Science (WoS). A bibliometric analysis provided a macro-view of the field. Further, we manually reviewed representative literature to interpret keyword clusters and find conceptual patterns. The field has grown steadily since 2020, with the US and Australia leading in publications, though collaboration remains fragmented. Three main research clusters emerged around identity, digital adaptation, and ideology. Thematic evolution progressed from family-centered pre-pandemic practices to digital adaptation during the pandemic, to post-pandemic emotional concerns. Highly cited studies emphasized language ideology, child agency, and home literacy in FLP for HLM. This study provides a structured knowledge map, with new findings highlighting future directions, including affective dimensions, digital practices, and underrepresented Global South and post-pandemic contexts.