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Questions and Answers
Language contact refers to situations where two or more languages are used simultaneously.
Language contact refers to situations where two or more languages are used simultaneously.
True
Direct contacts occur primarily through mass media such as the internet and television.
Direct contacts occur primarily through mass media such as the internet and television.
False
The study of language contact has been developing since the 1980s.
The study of language contact has been developing since the 1980s.
False
Bilingualism can be defined uniformly by all sociolinguists.
Bilingualism can be defined uniformly by all sociolinguists.
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Distant contacts occur when speakers meet in person, such as through travel.
Distant contacts occur when speakers meet in person, such as through travel.
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The industrialization has led to an increase in contacts between different language communities.
The industrialization has led to an increase in contacts between different language communities.
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Modern technology has decreased the importance of understanding multiple languages.
Modern technology has decreased the importance of understanding multiple languages.
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Lexical borrowing involves incorporating foreign words into the lexicon of a language.
Lexical borrowing involves incorporating foreign words into the lexicon of a language.
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A person who speaks only one language is called a monolingual.
A person who speaks only one language is called a monolingual.
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Bilingualism requires a person to have native-like control of both languages.
Bilingualism requires a person to have native-like control of both languages.
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Sequential bilingualism refers to learning two languages at the same time.
Sequential bilingualism refers to learning two languages at the same time.
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Total bilinguals are individuals who can use multiple languages equally well.
Total bilinguals are individuals who can use multiple languages equally well.
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Partial bilinguals are those who have full command of all their languages.
Partial bilinguals are those who have full command of all their languages.
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Compound bilinguals have a perfect command of their first language before learning a second language.
Compound bilinguals have a perfect command of their first language before learning a second language.
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Haugen suggested that bilingualism begins with the ability to understand utterances in a second language.
Haugen suggested that bilingualism begins with the ability to understand utterances in a second language.
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The term multilinguals specifically refers to individuals who speak only two languages.
The term multilinguals specifically refers to individuals who speak only two languages.
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Bilingualism can be defined in varying degrees of proficiency.
Bilingualism can be defined in varying degrees of proficiency.
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According to Bloomfield, bilingualism requires a person to have minimal proficiency in two languages.
According to Bloomfield, bilingualism requires a person to have minimal proficiency in two languages.
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Study Notes
Language Contact
- Language contact occurs when two or more languages, or language varieties, are used simultaneously or mixed.
- This can be voluntary (e.g., bilingual switching languages) or involuntary (e.g., through language mixing).
- Contacts can be categorized as direct (e.g., through travel, colonization) or distant (e.g., via media).
- Study of language contact has developed since the 1940s and 1950s, focusing on the forms and motivations behind language contact phenomena.
Bilingualism and Multilingualism
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Definitions of bilingualism vary.
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Some view bilingualism as the ability to use two languages equally well; others see it as a wider range of proficiency levels, even including multilingual competency.
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A distinction exists between those who can use multiple languages and those who can equally use every language in all situations.
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Different degrees of proficiency exist in bilinguals/multilinguals: partial vs. total bilinguals.
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Partial bilinguals may have limited proficiency in one language compared to others. Total bilinguals have equal proficiency in all languages used, though this is an abstract ideal.
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"Bilingual" can encompass "multilingual" for some researchers or be clearly distinct.
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Different categorizations of bilingual types exist (e.g. simultaneous bilinguals, sequential bilinguals, compound bilinguals, coordinate bilinguals).
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Simultaneous bilinguals acquire two languages from birth.
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Sequential bilinguals learn a second language after acquiring a first.
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Compound bilinguals learn a second language after mastering the first and their languages intertwine cognitively.
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Coordinate bilinguals acquire languages in separate contexts, with each language associated with distinct concepts.
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Defining bilingualism is complex, ranging from minimal proficiency to native-like fluency.
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Different scholars have proposed varying criteria for bilingualism, including a native-like control of both languages (Bloomfield, 1933) and a criterion where complete, meaningful utterances are produced and understood in the target language, or just the understanding of a second language's utterances (Haugen, 1953; Diebold, 1961).
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Modern contact between communities has intensified due to industrialization and advanced technology.
Monolingualism
- Monolinguals use a single language for communication.
- Monolingualism is still prevalent in some western communities, but there are many non-monolinguals globally.
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Description
Test your knowledge on language contact and the nuances of bilingualism and multilingualism. This quiz covers the definitions, categorizations, and implications of using multiple languages in various contexts. Explore how language interactions have evolved over time and their significance in today's world.
