By drawing attention to the variations in the Hakka language in Malaysia, this study aims to use language variation as an analytical lens through which the changes in the linguistic dimensions can be viewed from a social perspective and interpreted as socially meaningful. Evidence indicates a change from various ancestral-oriented Hakka varieties towards a major region-oriented variety. The language variation observed also represents the pursuit of a collective language/identity at the expense of the ancestral language/identity. It therefore highlights the efforts (and struggles) of minority communities in countries where heritage languages are considered peripheral and marginalised.