Bilingualism and Language Contact
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Questions and Answers

What is a crucial factor to consider when studying language contact?

  • The chemical composition of the languages.
  • The number of vowels in each language.
  • The power and status relationships between the languages involved. (correct)
  • The geographical distance between the languages.

Language contact always results in the same outcome, regardless of the languages involved.

False (B)

What is one major historical event that led to widespread language contact?

European colonial expansion

Colonialism resulted in new varieties of languages, sometimes in unrecognizable forms known as _________ languages.

<p>Creole</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the language contact situations with their descriptions:

<p>European Colonial Expansion = High-prestige European languages coexist with native languages of conquered peoples Minority Language Pockets = Speakers of minority languages are cut off by surrounding national languages Post-Colonial Migration = Influx of people from Third World societies into the industrial world</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of post-colonial migration?

<p>Multicultural and multilingual societies face educational problems but also experience cultural enrichment. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following reflects a language contact situation resulting from pockets of minority language speakers?

<p>The presence of Welsh and Gaelic in Great Britain. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

All traces of developments and languages are always preserved throughout history.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the context, how does envisioning history through the lens of language alter our perception of events like the treaty of Versailles?

<p>It shifts focus from international diplomacy to individual linguistic efforts for understanding and advantage. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The context suggests that the linguistic consequences of the disintegration of the Austrian empire are well-documented and widely understood.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Briefly explain the relationship between language contact and bilingualism as described in the introduction.

<p>Language contact inevitably leads to bilingualism.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The role of Malinche, the interpreter in AfCanes' conquest of Mexico, is presented as ______ to understanding the event from a linguistic perspective.

<p>crucial</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the type of bilingualism with its description:

<p>Societal Bilingualism = When two or more languages are spoken within a given society. Individual Bilingualism = The ability of a person to speak two or more languages.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is the concept of 'language contact' considered problematic when 'language' is an abstraction?

<p>Because only speakers, not abstract languages, can interact. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following questions is NOT identified as a main issue addressed when languages come into contact?

<p>What are the historical origins of each language involved? (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The text suggests that in societies with strong social divisions, such as pre-World War II Quebec, it is impossible for individuals to be bilingual.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one factor that makes it difficult to distinguish between languages and dialects, potentially complicating the study of language contact?

<p>religious differentiation</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the introduction, research on the economic consequences of geopolitical events, such as the disintegration of the Austrian empire, lags behind research on the linguistic consequences of such events.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Provide one example from the introduction of how historical events can be reinterpreted through a linguistic lens.

<p>The sugar plantations, where uprooted slaves were thrown together, as meeting places for many African languages.</p> Signup and view all the answers

If we consider grammars as having independent components, such as the phrase structure or the lexicon, the study of language contact shifts to examining ______ of grammars in contact.

<p>components</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following scenarios with the relevant challenge they pose to the study of language contact:

<p>Hindi and Urdu = Difficulty distinguishing languages from dialects Bilingual society with monolingual speakers = The abstraction of 'language' Grammars with independent components = Defining the level of grammatical analysis</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why have countries like Belgium and Canada invested in the study of bilingualism and language contact?

<p>To address social concerns arising from the interaction of different language groups. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The definition of 'language' is universally agreed upon, making the study of language contact straightforward.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Name one reason for studying language contact mentioned in the text.

<p>social concerns</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Bloomfield, what level of proficiency should a bilingual possess?

<p>Native-like control of two or more languages (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Macnamara's definition of bilingualism requires proficiency in all four modalities (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) in the second language.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason the content suggests a sociological definition of bilingualism is preferred over a purely psychological one?

<p>It's nearly impossible to find a suitable general norm or standard for proficiency.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Weinreich defined bilingualism as 'the practice of ______ using two languages'.

<p>alternatively</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why does the content caution against imposing Bloomfield's criteria on bilinguals?

<p>Because it often leads to bilinguals being stigmatized as deficient in their language capacities. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The terms 'bilingual' and 'bilingualism' in the content strictly refer to situations involving exactly two languages and no more.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the definition of bilingualism with the linguist who proposed it.

<p>Bloomfield = Native-like control of two or more languages Macnamara = Some second-language skills in one of the four modalities Weinreich = The practice of alternatively using two languages</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, a definition of bilingualism must consider the problem of scale and aggregation. What does this refer to?

<p>Whether the definition applies to individuals, families, neighborhoods, or whole societies. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the sociological approach to bilingualism?

<p>Primarily concerning itself with language as a whole within a society, often overlooking internal language variations. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The study of individual bilingualism primarily falls under the domain of sociology.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What specific aspect of language does the discipline of linguistics proper contribute to the study of bilingualism and language contact?

<p>structural changes</p> Signup and view all the answers

The study of socially governed linguistic behavior in bilingual communities is primarily the focus of ______.

<p>sociolinguistics</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following perspectives on bilingualism with their primary focus:

<p>Sociological = Language and social identity Psychological = Language storage in the brain Sociolinguistic = Language choice in social interactions Linguistic = Structural changes in languages</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of bilingualism is LEAST likely to be a primary focus of the 'sociology of bilingualism'?

<p>Processes of internal change within a language. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, distinguishing between different contributions to the study of bilingualism is always clear and straightforward.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Besides words, what else can languages borrow from each other when they are in contact?

<p>rules of grammar</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following areas do Fishman (1978) and Mackey and Ornstein (I979) primarily focus on?

<p>Demography, language maintenance, and language and education (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the information, researchers have direct access to the bilingual brain and mind to definitively answer questions about mental lexicon structures.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of the book, concerning language behavior?

<p>individual or collective language behavior in bilingual communities</p> Signup and view all the answers

The left hemisphere of the brain is generally assumed to be mainly responsible for ______ processing.

<p>language</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the researcher/publication with their focus:

<p>Fishman (1978) = Sociological subjects McCormack and Wurm (1979) = Code switching and language planning Grosjean (1982) = The bilingual brain is still very much terra incognita</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does 'terra incognita' refer to, according to Grosjean (1982: 267)?

<p>The largely unexplored aspects of the bilingual brain. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When studying the mental representation of two languages, what key question do researchers explore concerning the bilingual individual?

<p>Whether they operate based on one unified mental lexicon or two discrete lexicons. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Bilinguals typically mix their languages during language processing, needing no special mental faculty to keep them separate when speaking or understanding.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Components of Language

The criteria for language include vocabulary, pronunciation, syntax, and pragmatics.

Bloomfield's Definition of Bilingualism

Bloomfield stated that bilingualism means possessing native-like control of two or more languages.

Macnamara's Definition of Bilingualism

Macnamara proposed bilingualism with skills in a second language in any modality plus first-language skills.

Psychological vs. Sociological Definition

Psychological definitions focus on proficiency, while sociological definitions consider the practice of using two languages.

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Weinreich's Definition

Weinreich defined bilingualism as the practice of alternating use of two languages.

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Bilinguals vs. Monolinguals

Bilinguals have different linguistic competencies but should not face higher standards than monolinguals.

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Terminology in Bilingualism

The terms bilingual and bilingualism can apply to more than two languages, although multilingual is used occasionally.

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Scale and Aggregation Problem

Bilingualism definitions must address whether we discuss individuals, families, neighborhoods, or societies.

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Bilingualism

The ability to speak and understand two languages.

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Language contact

Situations where speakers of different languages interact and communicate.

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Societal bilingualism

Bilingualism that occurs within a whole society or community.

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Individual bilingualism

Bilingualism that occurs at the individual level.

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Malinche

An Aztec woman who acted as Cortés' interpreter.

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Language consequences

The effects that occur when languages come into contact.

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Balkanization

The fragmentation of a region into smaller, often hostile, units.

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Language interaction

The way languages influence and change each other.

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Sociolinguistics

The study of how social factors influence language use and variation.

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Colonial Expansion

The process of European powers extending their influence and languages to conquered territories.

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Creole Languages

New languages that develop from the mixing of colonizers' languages and native languages.

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Minority Languages

Languages spoken by a small number of people, often surrounded by more dominant languages.

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Post-Colonial Migration

The movement of people from former colonies to industrialized countries, bringing their languages with them.

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Multicultural Societies

Societies that encompass multiple cultures and languages, often due to migration.

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Sociolinguistic Upheaval

Major changes in language use and variation resulting from social and historical events.

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Language behavior

The way individuals use and understand language in their daily interactions.

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Implicit knowledge

Unconscious understanding of language rules and usage without explicit teaching.

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Neural representation

How languages are organized and processed within the brain.

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Mental lexicon

The mental dictionary of words and their meanings stored in the brain.

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Discreet languages

The idea that bilinguals have separate mental storage for each language.

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Unified mental lexicon

The concept that bilingual individuals use a single combined vocabulary for both languages.

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Left hemisphere and language

The left side of the brain is primarily associated with language processing tasks.

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Language Planning

Deliberate efforts to influence how languages are used in a community.

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Psychological Aspects of Bilingualism

How bilingualism affects cognitive processes in individuals.

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Linguistic Contact

Interactions between languages that may lead to change in structure or new languages.

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Bilingual Education

Educational programs that use two languages for instruction.

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Bilingual Societies

Communities where two languages coexist, but not all individuals are bilingual.

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Dialect vs Language

Distinguishing between a language and its dialects complicates language contact studies.

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Grammars in Contact

The interaction of different grammatical systems rather than entire languages.

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Components of Grammars

Independent parts of a grammar system: structure, transformation, lexicon, etc.

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Caste Influence on Language

Social hierarchies affecting language use and bilingualism in societies.

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Impulses for Language Studies

Motivations to study language contact include social dynamics and academic inquiry.

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Quebec's Language Dynamics

Historical coexistence of English and French in Quebec before WWII.

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Study Notes

Introduction: Bilingualism and Language Contact

  • Imagine human history as a history of languages, constantly interacting.
  • Language contact is tied to the history of peoples and nations.
  • Little is known about language contact and its consequences.
  • The chapter introduces concepts of language contact, looking at language contact situations, its history, subtypes, and contributing disciplines.

Bilingualism: Concepts and Definitions

  • Bilingualism is a result of language contact.
  • Societal bilingualism: Two or more languages are spoken in a given society.
  • Individual bilingualism: An individual speaks two or more languages.
  • Different degrees and forms of bilingualism can be identified.

Situations of Language Contact

  • There are several historical and current situations, including linguistic archipelagos (many unrelated languages in a single area) and language borders (between families).
  • Language contact has occurred throughout history, including colonial expansion, migrations, and conquests.
  • Language contact creates complex linguistic situations that require social, anthropological, psychological, and linguistic examination.

The Bilingual Speaker: Psychological Dimensions

  • The left hemisphere is generally considered dominant in language processing.
  • Linguistic effects of brain injuries shed light on bilingual brain organization.
  • Some studies suggest parallel recovery in both languages, while some show differential recovery.
  • There's disagreement whether bilinguals have one or two lexicons (stores of words).
  • There are different theoretical perspectives on bilingualism and language organization.

The Use of Two Languages

  • Bilinguals must manage two languages separately or merge them.
  • There is debate in the research regarding the existence of a special 'switch' between languages.
  • Some studies show different times needed to switch languages, and that input and output switches exist.
  • Research suggests that language use in bilinguals is more complex than suggested by simple switch models.

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Related Documents

Bilingualism and Multilingualism PDF

Description

This chapter explores the history of languages and their constant interaction. It introduces concepts of language contact, examining various language contact situations, its history, subtypes, and contributing disciplines. It also defines societal and individual Bilingualism.

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