Bilingualism

This comprehensive handbook introduces a theoretical framework of the contextual situations of language maintenance and shift in which are found bilingualism and bilingual education. It presents the basic facts about language and language families in the world and where they are located, and illustrates the range of possibilities of languages in contact. A major portion of this important work is devoted to a series of case studies of bilingualism/multilingualism within nation states, arranged alphabetically, and representing specific situations in all corners of the world. Each chapter stands alone and can be read for the information it contains. The book provides a valuabe resource for theory testing and documents the range of educational policies for minority social groups, and emphasizes the legitimacy and importance of scholarly study of this complex social issue.

This study examines the simultaneous acquisition of Norwegian and English by two first-born children each with one American and one Norwegian parent. Lanza investigates the issue of language mixing in relation to language dominance and the child's differentiation between the two languages in relation to the communicative demands of the context.

This bestselling book is for anyone - parents, teachers and language professionals alike - who need advice on how children can get the most from a bilingual situation.In Growing Up with Two Languages Una Cunningham-Andersson and Staffan Andersson provide a highly informative account of the stages of language development; describe and evaluate the various systems and strategies that can be adopted; and look at the problems that can occur when a child is exposed to two language and cultures.Illustrated throughout with the real life experiences of fifty families around the world, this book concludes with clear practical advice on how to support and document a child's bilingual development, and how to make the most of the Internet.

This is the first book that discusses the effect of foreign language learning on first language processing. The authors argue that multilingual development is a dynamic and cumulative process characterized by transfer of different nature, and results in a common underlying conceptual base with two or more language channels that constantly interact with each other. Language representation and processing are discussed from a cognitive-pragmatic rather than a lexical-syntactic perspective. This required the review of several crucial issues of L2 acquisition, such as transfer, vocabulary development, conceptual fluency, and pragmatic skills. The authors also reviewed a large body of literature touching on cognitive psychology, linguistics, psycholinguistics, SLA, philosophy, and education in order to explain multilingual development and the positive effect of foreign language learning on the first language. An important read for linguists and language educators alike, this volume: * attempts to explain multilingual development from a cognitive-pragmatic perspective, * argues that foreign language learning has a positive effect on the development and use of mother tongue skills, * relies on research findings of several different disciplines, * builds on the results of quantitative research conducted by the authors, and touches on a wide range of literature.

Many of us view language as a tool, a means by which to communicate our thoughts and emotions. But is there more to language than just "talk"? Can learning languages actually change the way you think? In The Language Imperative, best-selling author and linguistic scholar Suzette Haden Elgin examines the power of language to shape our lives. She confronts some of the most pressing issues parents and educators face today: Is it a good or bad idea for Americans to have command of more than one language? Should learning languages be a luxury for only the rich? Or should it be a goal of the public educational system as well? Based on solid science and filled with personal insights, The Language Imperative is required reading for anyone interested in how words shape our lives, both as individuals and as a nation.

By looking at the effect of language difference, rather than at theories of language, John Edwards examines the interaction of language with nationalism, politics, history, identity and education.He illustrates his arguments with a rangew of examples, from recent attempts to revive and preserve languages such as Irish and Basque, to the argument over French and English in Canada and the 'US English' campaign. He also examines the linguistic myopia of those who would seek to elevate one language over another. Multilingualism unpicks the complexity associated with a world of so many languages, and creates an overview which is multidisciplinary in focus. Its mixture of curious facts, wit and eloquence, will appeal to anyone who cares about the role of language in society.

This is a comprehensive collection of the classics in the study of bilingualism. Designed as a structured student reader, it covers:* definitions and typology of bilingualism* language choice and bilingual interaction* grammar of code-switching and bilingual acquisition* the bilingual brain and bilingual production and perception* methodological issues in the study of bilingualism.Invaluable editorial material guides the student through different sections of the reader. Critical discussion of research methods, graded study questions and activities, a comprehensive glossary and an up-to-date resource list make The Bilingualism Reader an essential introductory text for any course in bilingualism. Extracts by: Peter Auer, Michael Clyne, Kees De Bot, Charles Ferguson, Joshua Fishman, Fred Genesee, David Green, François Grosjean, John Gumperz, Monica Heller, Li Wei, William Mackey, Jurgen Meisel, Lesley Milroy, Carol Myers-Scotton, Lorraine Obler, Michel Paradis and Shana Poplack.