Bilingualism In The United States

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Bilingualism is not a new issue in the United States since it has always owned the reputation as one of the most diverse countries in the world. However, as much as people think that being a bilingual speaker is an advantage, many parents are skeptical about the idea of teaching their children a second language due to the large number of students in the United States who are lacking English proficiency, although they were born and raised in an English-speaking country. This is due to the use of a native language in their daily communication at home.
Based on a survey report released by the United States Census Bureau in 2015, only 20.7% of the American population use a language other than English to communicate at home (“Detailed Languages …show more content…

Metalinguistic skill is defined as “the ability to use knowledge about language” (Lauchlan 10). To make it specific, it is a skill which allow children to use their language effectively from an early stage to a more advanced level. At the early age, bilingual children are better at practicing new sounds and words, besides being able to alter their speech accordingly depending on whom they are talking to (Connolly). As they grow older, they would be able to play with words by creating jokes and puns (Owens). Every child will develop their metalinguistic skills, but bilingual children will learn better than the others. Therefore, being a bilingual speaker is definitely a blessing, especially when people are exposed to it since …show more content…

This often leads to a change of language in bilinguals. … [I]t is the situation or the person one is speaking to which induces slight changes in behavior, opinions, feelings, etc., not the fact that one is bilingual. (Bilingual: Life and Reality)
From my point of view, language and culture are inseparable; therefore, shifting of language might cause people to act according to the nature of a certain culture. Some languages belong to a culture that tends to be loud; they sometimes speak as if they are angry, when in fact they are not. However, having different ways of interaction does not mean people stop being their real self. Because some parents are worried that their children might be confused about their true personalities, they are somehow skeptical about teaching their children a second

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