Bilingualism and Multilingualism_Sajeed Mahaboob

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HUL 452Fundamentals of Linguistics

Topic: Bilingualism and Multilingualism

A Presentation by: Sajeed Mahaboob

2011ME1111

Instructors: Dr. Somdev Kar and Dr. K.K. Chaudhary

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Introduction

Monolingual?

Bilingual?

Multilingual?

What does it mean by being…

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Introduction

75% 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

Parents who want their children to retain their heritage language must work at it.27-06-2014

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Types of Multilingualism

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Additive:Learning of the second language does not interfere with first language.

English speakers in QUEBEC often learn French to upgrade business skills.

Subtractive:Learning of second language does interfere (replaces) with first language.

Successive US immigrant generations eventually become monolingual English speakers.

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Personal growth Tolerance & respect towards other

cultures Job Mobility Abroad Study Broadens employment opportunities Increases vocabulary & effectiveness of

speech

Importance of being multilingual nowadays…

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Successive

Sequential

Receptive27-06-2014

Ways of Acquisition

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Successive Bilingualism

Learning one language after already knowing another.

Simultaneous Bilingualism:Learning two languages as “first language”.

Receptive Bilingualism:Having the ability to understand a second language but not speaking it or not being able to speak it due to psychological barriers.

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Ways of Acquisition

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• Most bilinguals are consecutive.

• No two bilinguals are alike.

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•Studies have shown that features

of L1 can have a powerful influence

on L2.

• L1 “transfer” can be positive or

negative.

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Studies examining true simultaneous

bilinguals are rare.

Brain imaging studies show a spread in

activation across left and right hemispheres.

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Primary context/Natural Bilingualism Secondary context / school bilingualism Naturalistic fused setting Naturalistic separate setting Elective bilinguals Circumstantial bilinguals

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Context of Bilingual Language Acquisition

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Balanced Bilinguals Dominant Bilinguals Passive or Recessive Bilinguals Semi-lingual or Limited

Bilinguals

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Degrees of Bilingualism

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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.

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Balanced Bilinguals

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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.

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Dominant Bilinguals

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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.

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Passive or Recessive Bilinguals

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• Individuals who appear to have limited

proficiency in both languages. Deficit in six language competencies.

• correctness of language• unconscious processing of language (automation)• language creation• mastery of the functions of language (e.g.,

emotive, cognitive)• meanings and imagery• Size of vocabulary

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Semi-lingual or Limited Bilinguals

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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.27-06-2014

The benefits of being bilingual

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Different words are used for Greetings, farewell, To express Appreciations, To get

Someone’s attentions, Formalities and Apologies in major languages in the

world.

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Now I will show you the data of Percentage of Bilingual speakers around the world.

By: US Census bureau, 2007 American community survey

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There are probably both costs and benefits of

learning two languages at once. L2 acquisition in adulthood and later childhood is

difficult because it is not like L1 acquisition. There has been much debate as to how we

translate words between languages. Translation probably does involve conceptual

mediation. Bilingualism is a useful tool for studying other

language processes.27-06-2014

Remember !!

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Speaking two languages may slow brain aging.

(http://www.bilingualism-matters.org.uk/learning-language-slow-brain-aging/)

UofE study on Bilingualism and Dementia takes the media by storm. (http://www.bilingualism-matters.org.uk/uofe-study-bilingualism-dementia-takes-media-storm-2/)

Learning young, Antonella Sorace writes for the Scotsman. (http://www.bilingualism-matters.org.uk/learning-young-antonella-sorace-writes-scotsman/)

Bilingualism and Special Needs(http://www.bilingualism-matters.org.uk/bilingualism-special/)

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Bilingualism in News

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References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multilingualism http://www.livingbilingual.com https://www.llas.ac.uk/resources/gpg/142 http://

www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780199772810/obo-9780199772810-0056.xml

http://www.bilingualism-matters.org.uk/ http://

www.psychologytoday.com/blog/life-bilingual/201207/can-first-language-be-totally-forgotten

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So… Ladies and gentlemen

Thanks for your Patience.