Wait a second!
More handpicked essays just for you.
More handpicked essays just for you.
Benefits of multilingualism
Benefits of multilingualism
Advantages and disadvantages of multilingualism
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Recommended: Benefits of multilingualism
Multilingualism is the act of utilizing multiple languages, either by individual speakers or a community (Wikipedia,2009). It is becoming a convivial phenomenon governed by globalization and cultural openness.
There is no true definition of multilingualism, thus it is very hard to define an individual as being multilingual. There is no clear designation of how much cognition, of a language, it requires to be regarded as ‘multilingual’ which makes it hard for teaching institutions to edify language to students until the point of fluency.
Multilingualism is the natural potential available to every mundane human being rather than an unorthodox exception: Given the opportune environment, two languages are as mundane as two lungs.
The language we utilize sanctions us to develop our cognitive and perceptive capacity and it sanctions us to describe what is consequential in our environment. Cognition and our environmental understanding; occurs efficaciously in the mother tongue.
Language and its role in social needs and creating social cohesion.
Useful multilingualism will permit South Africa in inducing social, both cultural and linguistic, cohesion.
Universities should take their cue from the Provincial Language Policies, as it might become a realism in the near future. This Language Policy will play a significant role in redressing the linguistic imbalances of the past; and bring back a sense of cultural and linguistic pride among cultural and ethnic groups who have been discriminated against by Apartheid (ELTIC, 2007). However, not all universities authentically have a Language Policy and Implementation Plan in place (Maseko, 2008; 2011). These need to be in place before any universities or edifying institutions can move forward. The...
... middle of paper ...
...ions, and gain an understanding of cultural concepts;
They have a predominant understanding of society and acknowledge individuals of different nations, subsequently decreasing racism, xenophobia, and narrow mindedness, as the cognition of an incipient language brings with it a revelation of an incipient culture. (Marian, 2012).
The social and employment advantages of being multilingual includes, individual’s having the ability to communicate with people from, different cultural and language backgrounds, as well as incrementing job opportunities in many vocations (Marian, 2012)
What is best for the child psychologically (and pedagogically) may not be what is best for the adult socially, economically or politically and, what is even more significant, what is best for the child and the adult may not be best or even possible for society ( Fasold, 1989).
Words: 906
Language is our power and expression is our freedom. Through a puff of air, we are able to communicate and influence the environments that surround us. Over the course of time humans have evolved, but by the means of language, humans have matured into humanity. The possibility of thought and emotions such as empathy show the ability to think with complexity. A crucial element that helps Suzanne K. Langer’s illustrate the essence of humanity throughout her essay “Language and Thought.” Langer thoroughly depicts what sets humans apart from the rest of the animal kingdom by explicitly stating “The line between man and beast […] is the language line” (120). Consequently, this implies that if a person is declined the freedom of language they are hardly considered human. Many people around the globe have had their voices silenced due to corrupt governments and the oppression of their culture. These individuals are subjected to the devastating effects of the loss of language, which in turn, translates to the loss of power. Language is our foundation for hopes and opportunity, for with out it a person is shell of possibility that is subjected to a passive existence.
Most people who grow up with a foreign language spoken in there house grow up with an advantage in society. This advantage can only occur once the individual learning that foreign language also learns the dominant language spoken in that country. Once both of these languages are learned and mastered, the individual has now placed them se...
Throughout time the flexibility of different languages within the world today are always being tossed up in the air, if there’s disadvantages or advantages to being capable of more than one language. Although all individuals have there own opinions on being able to speak fluently with different languages, there isn’t any other way to see it besides it being a huge advantage; fully appreciating the beneficial chance to be bilingual or trilingual and sometimes even more. Communicating with more than a single voice will represent who one is and where they came from. Within two articles “Speaking in Tongues” written by Zadie Smith and “How to tame a Wild Tongue” by Gloria Anzalduas’s both demonstrate the different languages they encounter. Smith looses her chance in speaking from her voice being forced upon to change without resistance while Anzalduas’s aggressively puts up a battle to be able to keep her voice. The acceptance of varies languages isn’t in everyone category, however in time we should be more accepting and realize from articles like such that’s beneficial to learn and accept the difference languages of different cultures within the world today. Although there may be struggles upon learning the knowledge to something new, its nothing but an advantage to have with one throughout a lifetime!
Teaching world languages is a very specific, extensive field, and it should be noted that the texts presented here are only a small sample of what is available. Though it has long been known that language, culture and identity are interwoven, and extensive research to this effect has been presented, there exists an enduring trend to teach language solely as language. The texts presented within this annotated bibliography make it obvious that, as language is the main conveyer of culture, opportunities are being missed to help students develop their cultural understanding, and thus, their own identities, through the acquisition of second, or subsequent, languages.
Translanguaging is a theory that encompasses and focuses on language practices of bilingual people (Celic & Seltzer, 2012). Celic and Seltzer (2012) state that translanguaging is a person’s ability and choice to utilize their home language and their second language as resources to make meaning of the things they encounter in every day life. Translanguaging is one of the theories that influence my theoretical framework of my curriculum. This theory is meant to challenge those myths and assumptions about monolingual instruction and bring the belief that monolingualism is the norm versus bilingual practices as being the norm (Celic & Seltzer, 2012). When a bilingual person is translanguaging they are using both their languages in a strategic manner, which is what sets this apart from code switching. The common underlying proficiency theory developed by Cummins (1991) suggests that the first and second language depend on each other and work together, therefore supporting the translanguaging theory. Cummins (1991) believes that if an ELL gets proper second language instruction, their first language skill will then transfer over when learning the second language. This theory is often challenged by monolingual views of second language acquisition, despite the fact that monolingual practices are not well supported by empirical evidence (Cummins, 2007). Translanguaging creates this idea of dynamic bilingualism. Seltzer (2014), describes dynamic
Nevertheless, having two official languages does not restrict an individual from learning a different language or communicating with it – in fact, it is favored. What having two official languages does however, it allows people from different backgrounds to understand each other and their worldviews: creating a sense of
The author Maria de la Luz Reyes explains through several characters born and raised in a family that spoke different native languages but he managed to excel in learning English. Biliteracy refers to the ability to communicate and write more than one language and this represents a major achievement because it takes a lot of sacrifice and dedication to realize it. The situation surrounding biliteracy is controversial because some parents appreciate when their children learn more than one language but others are not as Collins explains in the book, Foundations of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism. Biliteracy and its influence differs and Collin Baker identifies that diverse bilingual classes and schools, culture and language, influence dissimilar
In today’s society, especially in the United States, most people are monolingual English speakers. As a result, these monolingual speakers are at a significant disadvantage compared to those who speak more than one language fluently. This disadvantage is crucial to realize since it is important to learn how individuals and the nation can be enhanced. Multilingual speakers have an advantage in global affairs that involve countries that speak different languages. Speaking multiple languages makes it easier to communicate with people when involved in foreign affairs. Those who speak multiple languages are also more aware of other cultures in society. Monolingual speakers are not as exposed to other cultures and have difficulty understanding or even recognizing them. Furthermore, being multilingual increases your
An ongoing battle of culture, freedom, and language occurs in America today. The battle is commonly called Bilingualism. The dictionary definition: being able to speak multiple languages. Though, when you dig deeper, you discover the hunger of differing tongues. Many people believe bilingualism should have a certain role in the public and education. One of these figures is Martin Espada who believe that bilingualism is also respecting one's culture. He believes that there should be more effort put into understanding different cultures and languages. An opposing figure to this is poet and author, Richard Rodriguez, who believes bilingualism should not be emphasized in the public and education system. Rather being able to speak one language and communicating is superior.
...xpressing her Chinese culture. Mastering a second language allows her to articulate her and her mother’s thoughts; it is a foundation for her pride and a foundation to express herself. For Gloria Anzaldua, instead of choosing one language over the other, she chose a mix of the two and fights for it. She realized the value of her language when she lost it and now treasures it. The kind of Spanish she speaks is neither English nor Spanish, but both. It is overflowing with culture from Medieval Spain, France, Germany, etc., just from the origins of the words. It is her pride and a representation of herself, fighting and living. In conclusion, in addition to Lera Boroditsky’s article proving that the structure of language affects how we think, the articles by Eric Liu, Amy Tan, and Gloria Anzaldua show how language is a foundation for a person’s culture, pride, and self.
Being bilingual implies a process in which everything looks so difficult at the beginning, but at the same time it is easier than what it looks like.
Being multilingual has great importance. As previously presented, it keeps cultural diversity alive and creates better communication with the rest of the ...
If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language that goes to his heart.” ‒ Nelson Mandela. Since the 1960’s learning a second language has decreased by 30 percent in today’s society. People who wish to learn an additional language often do so to communicate with people who reside in different countries. With an increase in today’s globalization, it is forcing companies throughout the world to break the language barrier. However, with the advancement of technology, numerous citizens find it unnecessary to learn another language, as a translation is at the tip of their fingers. The methods of learning a foreign language can differentiate between people. Nevertheless it has been
The mother tongue is part of a child’s personal, social and cultural identity. It is this identification we get from speaking our mother tongue that enforces successful social patterns of acting and speaking. Our diverse social backgrounds make us unique and appealing in society. The mother tongue is an indispensable instrument for the development of intellectual, physical and moral aspects of education. Habits, conducts, values, virtues, customs and beliefs are all shaped through the mother tongue. Needless to say, weakness in the mother tongue means a paralysis of all thought and power of expression.
As time goes by and as the global community develops, the world grows more and more international, making second or third language acquisition become necessary to the majority. With the growing importance of multiple language ability, more and more parents think of bilingual or multilingual education, which means acquisitions of two or more languages, for their kids. In fact, we do have many reasons showing why multilingual education is important and beneficial, such as aspects of interpersonal relationship, employment, brain health, and so on.