interview assignment

Bilingualism

1.You cannot be a cultivated person without knowing at least two languages.

2. You cannot know a people without knowing their language.

3. In the modern world, it is useless to learn foreign languages because everyone speaks English.. .

He who has two languages has two souls.

Anonymous

Bilinguals are a minority – “exceptions” – to the default monolingual norm.

Bilinguals are a minority and “exceptions” to the default monolingual norm.

More than half of the world’s population is bilingual or multilingual.

To be counted as bilingual, you need to speak two languages perfectly.

To be counted as bilingual, you need to speak two languages perfectly.

There may be a difference in proficiency between the two.

Learning two languages confuses children, and they will grow up speaking neither well.

Learning two languages confuses children, and they will grow up speaking neither well.

Children have a ‘critical period’ during which they are especially good at learning (multiple) languages.

Bilingual children learn more slowly because their minds are cluttered with extra language information.

Bilingual children learn more slowly because their minds are cluttered with extra language information.

Bilingualism seems to be beneficial to cognition.

Bilingual people have smaller vocabularies than monolinguals.

Bilingual people have smaller vocabularies than monolinguals.

True….

` Bilingualism: the ability to speak two (or more) languages ◦ Individual bilingualism ◦ Societal bilingualism (in a particular speech

community of society)

` Various degrees of bilingualism ◦ Both languages equally fluent ◦ High degree of proficiency in both, but not native-

like skills ◦ One language is more dominant x Tends to be related to domains of use ◦ Oral fluency in one, written fluency in another

` Bilingualism can develop in different types of situations ◦ Being raised in bilingual household x Parents speak different languages x Parents speak a language different from majority

community language ◦ Moving to new country and learning new language

outside home ◦ Learning new language at school ◦ Having frequent & routine contact with other

languages x e.g. at work

` Situation in which a community has more than one official language ◦ Canada: English & French ◦ Belgium: French, Flemish & German ◦ Switzerland: French, German, Italian & Romansch ◦ India: English & Hindi ◦ Papua New Guinea: English, Tok Pisin & Hiri Motu ◦ Philippines: Filipino & English ◦ Singapore: English, Malay, Mandarin & Tamil ◦ Paraguay: Spanish & Guarani

` But fewer bilingual speakers in countries with more than one official language! ◦ Their focus is maintenance & use of more than one

language, not making people bilingual ` More bilingual speakers in officially

monolingual countries ◦ Native speakers of other languages must learn

official language to get by

` Diglossia: ` A (structural/functional) situation in which two dialect

or languages are used under different conditions within a speech community (often by the same speakers). ◦ Regional language used in informal situations ◦ Standard language used in formal situations x Scotland: Gaelic spoken at home/stores/pubs, but English in

courts/government x “High” and “low” (colloquial) varieties of Arabic

` Ambilingualism: ` Both languages equally likely in all domains & use not

predictable ◦ Rare; found only in small states with multiple heritages x Luxembourg (French & German)

` Bipart-lingualism: multiple languages spoken in one area, but speakers mainly monolingual & little interaction with other groups ◦ Malaysia: Malay, Chinese & Indian populations

` Advantages to bilingualism ◦ Cognitive benefits ◦ Personality benefits ◦ Economic benefits

` There seem to cognitive benefits to being bilingual ◦ But it’s hard to measure ◦ And not everyone agrees on results

` Metalinguistic awareness: ability to examine language as an object and analyze its use ◦ Helps abstract thinking ◦ Helps mental flexibility ◦ Improves language skills x Reading skills x Acquiring additional languages

` Other studies show that bilingual speakers may be better at certain kinds of problem-solving… ◦ Paying attention ◦ Staying focused ◦ Switching attention

` Multiple studies show that bilinguals have smaller vocabularies than monolinguals ◦ Overall vocabulary is larger (2 languages!) ◦ But within each language vocabulary is smaller x Likely has to do with domains of use

` In standardized tests, bilinguals also slower in naming pictures ◦ Frequent words recalled faster x But frequency in each language may be different x Another domain issue

◦ Selecting appropriate language system also takes time/effort

` Both languages are active even when just speaking one ◦ May help overall cognitive function

` Evidence that bilingualism may help delay Alzheimer’s and dementia ◦ Contributes to “cognitive reserve” (resilience to

neuropathic damage)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMmOLN 5zBLY

` Since language is part of culture, bilinguals are necessarily bicultural

` Some studies have found that bilinguals get higher average scores on tests for certain traits… ◦ Cultural empathy ◦ Open mindedness ◦ Social initiative

` Bilinguals may have a broader, more diverse view of the world

` Bilingualism is valued in many types of jobs ◦ National companies & services x Targeting different local audiences x Targeting incoming foreigners ◦ International companies & services x Targeting multinational audiences x Composed of different nationalities

` Interview a bilingual classmate in depth. ` How did they learn their first and second language? ` Did learning both languages growing up: ◦ confuse them? ◦ clutter their mind? ◦ cause them to be confused?

` Do they believe they have benefitted and how - ◦ cognitively? ◦ economically? ◦ socially?

` Present their case history to the class.

` Canada has 2 official languages, English and French.

` Official Languages Act passed under Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau (Justin’s father) in 1969.

` Examples: ◦ All products in Canada need to have labels in both

French and English. ◦ Citizens can get government services in French,

even in Vancouver (not as many francophones)

` https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtpxHD4 4XS8

` In 1976, the Parti Quebecois elected René Lévesque, a separatist

` French-speaking Québécois were afraid of losing their language and heritage, surrounded by English-speaking Canada and the US

` Enacted provincial laws for schools, businesses, etc. ◦ e.g. ◦ Burger King = Le Roi de Burger ◦ Kentucky Fried Chicken = Poulet Frit a la Kentucky

` Anglophones (and businesses) left the province

` https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZm58z DeCSM

` https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tGovX4 ua38

` Pro: ◦ Francophones in Quebec should enforce the language

laws to help preserve their culture and heritage. ` Con: ◦ Francophones in Quebec should enforce French

language laws on (e.g. Quebec-born anglophones) whose first language is not French.

1. Opening statements 2. Rebuttal of opening statements 3. Closing statements

Questions?