Bilingualism and Language Acquisition

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Questions and Answers

What factor could cause a bilingual child to experience regression in language acquisition?

Stable community language environment

Extreme culture shock (correct)

Balanced dominance between languages

Supportive parental interaction

Which variables does Romaine consider in his typology of childhood bilingualism?

Child's motivation and peer influence

Parental language use and community dynamics (correct)

Socio-economic status and educational background

Child's age and language proficiency

In the 'One person-One language' type of bilingualism, what role does the community language play?

It is the dominant language that influences school interaction. (correct)

It has no significance in bilingual development.

It is the only language spoken at home.

It is exclusively learned through media consumption.

What is a possible outcome of the 'One person-One language' strategy employed by parents?

The child acquires both languages effectively due to support. Signup and view all the answers

What could happen if one language in a bilingual child's environment becomes entirely suppressed?

The child might demonstrate decreased proficiency in both languages. Signup and view all the answers

What misconception exists about bilingualism and children's intelligence?

Bilingual children are considered to be less intelligent than monolinguals. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding children's language acquisition?

Supportive environments help children learn two languages well. Signup and view all the answers

What has newer research revealed about bilingual children compared to monolinguals?

Bilingual children perform better in language games but have no significant differences otherwise. Signup and view all the answers

What flaw did older studies on bilingualism have?

They poorly controlled for the socioeconomic status of participants. Signup and view all the answers

How does political and ideological prejudice impact perceptions of bilingualism?

It fosters a belief that bilingual individuals are rare. Signup and view all the answers

What role do modern studies play in understanding bilingualism?

They highlight the importance of contextual factors in bilingualism. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common belief about bilingual language acquisition that has been disproven?

Bilingualism can be successfully achieved with support. Signup and view all the answers

What common problem do bilingual individuals face when mixing languages?

Interference from one language to another Signup and view all the answers

What is code-switching in the context of bilinguals?

Deliberate switching between languages for effect Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes semi-lingualism?

Limited input in any of the languages being learned Signup and view all the answers

Why might bilinguals feel they have a different personality for each language?

They act according to different cultural norms Signup and view all the answers

In bilingual development, why do children often mix languages?

It is a normal part of their early language acquisition Signup and view all the answers

The phenomenon of interference in bilinguals can best be described as:

Accidental borrowing of words or rules from one language to another Signup and view all the answers

What can lead to the development of semi-lingualism in children?

Receiving minimal exposure to all intended languages Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding bilingual identity?

Different languages can elicit various cultural responses Signup and view all the answers

What role does cultural expectation play for bilingual individuals when speaking their languages?

It influences the roles they assume while speaking each language Signup and view all the answers

What term is used to describe individuals who are proficient in two languages?

Bilinguals Signup and view all the answers

At what age is a child typically considered to be in the 'child bilingualism' phase?

Before 15 years of age Signup and view all the answers

What can cause asymmetry or dominance in one language over the other in bilingual children?

Parental speaking preferences Signup and view all the answers

In terms of bilingual language acquisition, what defines 'input'?

The quantity and type of language exposure a child receives Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes 'infant/early bilingualism'?

Learning two languages simultaneously from birth Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'grammar dominance' in bilingual acquisition?

Superior grammatical skills in one of the languages Signup and view all the answers

Which is a characteristic of bilingual children compared to monolingual children?

They receive less language input at any given time Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following ages best describes the 'adolescent bilingual acquisition' phase?

13 to 19 years old Signup and view all the answers

What is a possible outcome when exposed to mixed language input from both parents?

Potential confusion in language structure Signup and view all the answers

What factor does NOT contribute to the asymmetry between two languages in bilingual individuals?

Socio-economic status of the family Signup and view all the answers

What might happen to a non-dominant language over time due to exposure differences?

It may be completely lost. Signup and view all the answers

Which describes discourse dominance in bilingual speakers?

One language is preferred in certain situations. Signup and view all the answers

Which behavior exemplifies the interaction of two language systems in bilingual children?

Switching from one language to another within conversation. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary distinction between code mixing and code switching?

Code switching relates to grammatical arrangements. Signup and view all the answers

In which example is code mixing clearly demonstrated?

Me I goes to the kitchen. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common effect of language dominance in bilingual environments?

Inconsistent language usage across contexts. Signup and view all the answers

What does code switching typically trigger in a speaker?

Temporary use of the other language. Signup and view all the answers

How might bilingualism affect the understanding of structure in language?

It strengthens the ability to translate between languages. Signup and view all the answers

What linguistic behavior signifies the integration of two languages in speech?

Employing code switching and code mixing. Signup and view all the answers

Which situation might lead to the preference for one language in a bilingual speaker?

Attending a formal event. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Bilingual First Language Acquisition

Over 50% of the world's population is bilingual.
Ideological and political prejudices often present a skewed view of bilingualism, leading to the misconception that bilingual individuals are a small, restricted group.
Older studies, particularly those from the United States, have shown flawed data on bilingualism, incorrectly claiming bilingual children have lower intelligence than monolingual children.
Newer, rigorously designed studies show no significant differences in intelligence between bilingual and monolingual children.
A child's intelligence and ability to develop in multilingual environments is not impeded by learning more than one language at an early age.

Myths and Facts

Myth 1: "Learning two languages confuses a child and lowers his intelligence."
- Older studies linked bilingualism to lower intelligence.
- These older studies had flaws: bilingual children were immigrants, often with less proficiency and significant stressors, not comparable with monolinguals.
- Modern studies, with better control groups, find no reduced intelligence.
Myth 2: "A child should learn one language properly first; then you can start teaching the other."
- Outdated research, not based on sound principles.
- Bilingual children, in supportive environments, master both languages successfully.
Myth 3: "A child who learns two languages won't feel at home in either. She'll always feel caught between two cultures."
- Relatives, friends, and strangers often worry about lost identities in bilingual homes.
- Children who learn multiple languages in supportive environments develop deep connections with both cultures and languages.
Myth 4: "Bilinguals have to translate from their weaker to their stronger language."
- Most bilingual individuals can think in either language without translation.
Myth 5: "Children who grow up bilingual will make great translators when they grow up."
- Not true for all bilinguals.
- Bilingualism does not automatically equate to greater translation skills.
Myth 6: "Real bilinguals never mix their languages. Those who do are confused 'semi-linguals'."
- Language mixing, or code-switching, is common and usually deliberate.
- Mixing languages does not equate to confusion among bilingual individuals.
Myth 7: "Bilinguals have split personalities."
- Some bilinguals report having different personalities in each language, potentially attributed to cultural norms.
- Linguistic cues influence expression, akin to cultural expectations.
Myth 8: "Bilingualism is a charming exception, but monolingualism is of course the rule."
- A substantial portion of the world's population is bilingual.
- World population data for bilinguals is scarce.
Myth 9: "Be very careful; if you don't follow the rules exactly, your children will never manage to learn both languages!"
- Consistent exposure and a nurturing environment matter, yet strict adherence to one method is not the only way children become bilingual.
Myth 10: "You'll never manage to make him bilingual now. People really can't learn a language after age X."
- Language acquisition is easier when young. Adults can and do learn languages with native-like proficiency.
- Biological differences in how the brain functions account for some age-related differences, but they are not a barrier for learning multiple languages.

Types of Bilingualism

Bilingualism is categorized by when the second language is acquired (infant, child, adolescent, or adult) or whether the child learned both languages simultaneously.
Different typologies of bilingualism describe variations in parental language use, parental language proficiency, and community language surrounding the child's development.

Code Mixing vs. Code Switching

Code mixing: Incorporating words or phrases from one language into another.
Code switching: Shifting between languages in a structured, intentional manner

Socio-psychological Factors

Language proficiency and acquisition can be impacted by societal factors and psychological responses.
In cases of extreme culture shock, it is possible for one language system to diminish.
Socio-psychological elements, such as the dominance of one language in the community, parental relationships in terms of language use, and community support for the different languages used, affect how bilingual children learn.

Factors Affecting Language Learning

Factors like explicit/implicit instruction, interest, motivation, exposure, teacher quality, parental support, and environment all affect a child's language acquisition process.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Early Language Learning

Learning a language early can lead to better, more nuanced learning.
Early language learning can also have drawbacks from obsession with a particular language, perhaps leading to neglecting other subjects.

Child's Right to Their Mother Tongue

Linguistic and scholarly individuals encourage children to learn their mother tongue because:
- Learning a native language early improves cognitive development.
- Many endangered languages can be preserved through early multilingual education.

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Description

This quiz explores key concepts related to bilingualism and its impact on language acquisition in children. It covers various types of bilingualism, the community's role, misconceptions about bilingualism, and the effects of suppression of one language. Test your understanding of the latest research findings and common beliefs in this fascinating area of language development.