Bilingualism & Multilingualism PDF

08/03/2022 Bilingualism & Multilingualism Dr. Ebrahim Safaie Islamic Azad University Lamerd Branch Introduction What does it mean by being… Monolingual? Bilingual? Multilingual? 2...

08/03/2022 Bilingualism & Multilingualism Dr. Ebrahim Safaie Islamic Azad University Lamerd Branch Introduction What does it mean by being… Monolingual? Bilingual? Multilingual? 2 1  08/03/2022 What does it mean to be ‘bilingual’? a variety of definitions:  a person who is equally proficient in 2 languages  a person with minimal competence in L2  a person with a functional command of 2 languages (and whose linguistic competence is in a stable state) So proficiency in two languages is bilingualism Bilingualism is evident in writing, reading, speaking & listening. Multilingualism Multilingualism is the act of using polyglotism or using multiple languages. 2  08/03/2022 Bilingualism & Multilingualism 50% of the world’s population speaks two or more languages. Not all bilinguals speak two languages at the same level. In India, school children may routinely learn multiple languages based on where they reside in the country.  By the age of 2.5 years, a bilingual child begins to make choices in language use, usually the majority language. Types of Bilingualism Additive: Learning of the second language does not interfere with the first language. English speakers in QUEBEC often learn French to upgrade business skills. Subtractive: Learning of second language does interfere with (replaces) the first language. Successive US immigrant generations eventually become monolingual English speakers. 3  08/03/2022 Additive bilingualism A situation where learning of the second language does not interfere with the first language. Subtractive bilingualism A situation where learning of the second language does interfere (replaces) with the first language. In such a situation, the first language might be lost gradually. 4  08/03/2022 Importance of being bi/multilingual nowadays… Personal growth  Tolerance & respect towards other cultures  Job Mobility  Abroad Study  Broadens employment opportunities  Increases vocabulary & effectiveness of speech 27-06-2014 5 Ways of becoming bilingual/ Ways of Acquisition Successive/Sequential Simultaneous Receptive 5  08/03/2022 Ways of becoming bilingual/ Ways of Acquisition Successive/sequential Bilingualism Learning one language after already knowing another. Simultaneous Bilingualism: Learning two languages as “first language”. Receptive bilingualism: A situation where one may have the ability to understand a second language but not to speak it. Successive/sequential Bilingualism  Sequential or consecutive bilingualism is the development of fluency in a second language after fluency in a first language has been reached.  Successive/sequential bilingualism occurs when one learns his/her first language and then a second language. 6  08/03/2022 Simultaneous Bilingualism  Simultaneous bilingualism is typically the result of prolonged exposure to two languages from birth. This may result, for example, from one parent or primary caregiver speaking to a child in one language and another parent or primary caregiver speaking to the child in another language.  Simultaneous Bilingualism occurs when one acquires both languages at the same time. Receptive bilingualism A situation where a person can understand but not speak a language. This can happen for example in families where a child regularly hears a language, but no one interacts with the child in the language. 7  08/03/2022 Most bilinguals are consecutive. No two bilinguals are alike. 8 9 8  08/03/2022 10 Context of Bilingual Language Acquisition  Primary context/Natural Bilingualism  Secondary context / school bilingualism 9  08/03/2022 Degrees of Bilingualism  Balanced Bilinguals  Dominant Bilinguals  Passive or Recessive Bilinguals  Semi-lingual or Limited Bilinguals 12 Balanced Bilinguals  Fully competent in both languages. - Almost impossible to achieve - Sociolinguistic forces demand that bilinguals organize their languages in functionally complementary spheres. No society needs two languages to perform the same set of functions. 13 10  08/03/2022 Dominant Bilinguals  Individuals who are dominant in other language. -Less dominant language = Subordinate -Dominance does not apply to all domains -One may be dominant in the subordinate language in some domains. 14 Passive or Recessive Bilinguals  Individuals who are gradually losing competence in one language, usually because of disuse. - common among immigrant groups. - often loose productive skills while retaining receptive skills. 15 11  08/03/2022 Semi-lingual or Limited Bilinguals  Individuals who appear to have limited proficiency in both languages. 16 The benefits of being bilingual  Bilingualism is beneficial for children’s development and their future.  Bilingual children internalize negative states and externalize aggression less frequently.  Future languages are easier to learn and the native language is enhanced.  Increased executive functions and decision-making abilities.  Bilinguals earn on average of $7000 more than their monolingual peers.  Delays the onset of Alzheimer and dementia as well as other neurological issues. 17 12  08/03/2022 The benefits of being bilingual 1. Increase brain power. Learning a language is a great way to keep your brain healthy and sharp. Being bilingual can improve a person’s multitasking skills, attention control, problem solving and creativity as it promotes outside-the-box thinking (novel or creative thinking). It can also help improve your memory – handy when shopping and remembering people’s names! 2. It can give children an academic advantage. Studies have shown that bilingual children can outperform monolingual children in a number of subject areas. The effects of bilingualism can help improve a child’s educational development, cognitive functions, social skills, literacy, and emotional skills that have positive effects for many years to come. 3. Increase awareness of other cultures. Being bilingual exposes an individual to diverse customs, ideas, and perspectives from different cultures. Of course, you can still learn about other cultures without knowing a second language, but language learning really allows for a more immersive (engaging) experience. The benefits of being bilingual 4. Make travel easier and more enjoyable. If you are or aspire to be a globetrotter, learning languages is a must! Traveling is way more fun and easier when there isn’t a language barrier; you can have a more immersive and authentic experience. You’ll be able to talk directly with the locals and make more friends along the way. Knowing what food to order without pointing at pictures and asking for directions when you get lost is also a bonus. 5. Improve competitiveness in the job market. Speaking a second language can provide more job opportunities, depending on which languages you speak. Communication in the workplace is important, and more companies, especially those with international offices, are considering bilingualism a high priority. Being able to communicate with foreign clients or customers is considered a big advantage too. 6. Find it easier to learn a third language. Learning a second language helps you reflect on your own language and gain a better aptitude for languages in general. The improved understanding of how language works, coupled with the experience you have already gained, makes it all the easier to learn a third or fourth language. 13  08/03/2022 The benefits of being bilingual 7. You can better raise your kids bilingual. Raising your kids to be bilingual may help them acknowledge the importance of their culture and heritage, as well as develop a stronger personal identity. If you have simply learned a second language, this knowledge can be a big help in encouraging your children to become bilingual too. 8. Stay mentally stronger for longer. Recent studies reveal that bilingual people’s brains age more slowly and therefore they live longer and more satisfying lives. It is now widely recognized that being bilingual can delay neurological diseases like dementia and Alzheimer. 9. Improve social life. Speaking a second language opens up a whole new range of social opportunities and can enhance your social skills and confidence. Put simply, the more languages you understand, the more people you can converse with and the more meaningful those relationships can be. As you use your language skills to connect with a wider range of people, you’ll give a boost to your confidence in social situations more generally. 14