Bilingualism can be a very valuable asset for children. However, bilingualism does not always come easily. It may be difficult for children to understand why their bilingualism is important for the future. For children to realize the value in bilingualism, parents must help them understand the importance of this asset. Whether you are a native speaker or a newbie learning a second language, it is important to learn how to understand bilingualism and why it is important. This blog will take a closer look at bilingualism, its benefits and pitfalls, and why it is important.
Introduction
Understanding bilingualism, is vital to comprehending the world around us. Being bilingual, or multilingual, encompasses understanding the similarities, and differences between two languages. Here are some key points that will help you understand the world of bilingualism.
What is Bilingualsim?
Bilingualism means being able to speak two languages. It does not mean that a person can speak only half of each language, nor does it mean that he or she speaks one language better than the other. It simply means having the ability to use two languages for communication. Whether or not a person actually uses the ability to speak two languages depends on many factors in addition to his or her linguistic ability, including where he or she lives and his or her educational and social background.
Children usually become bilingual by learning two languages at the same time during childhood, most often from birth to age five. This can happen when children are exposed to two languages at home, in child care, or in their community. Some children learn a second language later in life by taking classes or spending time with other speakers of that language. This type of second language learning is called foreign language acquisition. Adults may also become bilingual when they immigrate to another country and have to learn the new country’s language in order to function there.
Bilingualism does not mean that people speak only half of one language and half of another. Bilinguals often use both languages in all situations, but which language they use depends on whom they are talking to and where they are talking. In some situations, bilinguals may choose one language over the other because they feel more comfortable using one language or because they think it is more appropriate for the situation at hand (a child might speak Spanish with a friend and English with a teacher, for example).
What is multilingualism?
Multilingualism is the ability to communicate in two or more languages. This is the opposite of monolingualism, which means that you can only speak one language. Multilinguals have the ability to comprehend, read, write and speak in two or more languages. Multilingualism can make a major difference in a person’s life. Multilinguals are often valued highly among their peers because they are capable of thinking and problem-solving across a range of cultures. They can adjust their communication style to fit their audience, and this gives them an advantage when it comes to business negotiation.
Multilinguals also tend to be more adaptable than monolinguals, making them better at dealing with different cultures on a regular basis. And being able to read, write and speak multiple languages can make it easier for multilinguals to get jobs elsewhere — both abroad and within their home country — where they might be needed for translation services.
Types of Bilingualism.
There are different types of bilinguals and different situations where bilinguals use their languages. In order to break things down, let’s look at each type of bilingualism individually. I would like to note that these may be called differently elsewhere but the meaning remains the same.
Additive Bilingualism
In this case, a child learns two or more languages from birth. Each language learned is distinct from one another, and the child can move easily between the two or more languages without mixing them up. This is a very common experience for many children around the world because there are so many countries with more than one official language.
Subtractive Bilingualism
This situation occurs when a child knows one language before learning another one. The new language may be learned in school as part of their regular curriculum. In this case, some children find it difficult to remember the words from their native language and start replacing them with words from their second language. This is usually not a problem because they’re usually still able to communicate in both languages successfully despite mixing them up a bit. However, it can make it difficult for linguists to study how someone speaks in their native tongue if they’re constantly mixing in elements of other languages they know.
Compound Bilingualism
In this form of bilingualism, an individual acquires two languages from birth and uses them in separate contexts. For example, one language may be used at home while the other may be used at school. Compound bilinguals tend to have a native or near-native level of fluency in each language and the ability to switch effortlessly between the two.
When is the best time to introduce a new language to a child?
The best time to introduce a new language to a child is as soon as possible. When babies are born, their brains are primed to learn new languages, and the earlier they start, the better. They begin developing their language skills from birth and this happens at an incredible speed. In fact, they learn new sounds in two different ways – by listening and by watching your mouth move.
The science behind how children learn a language
Babies absorb language in two ways – firstly, by listening to words and secondly, by watching your mouth move. By doing so, they can copy the way you pronounce words and form sentences. This means that if you’re bilingual you’ll be able to transfer these skills to your child very easily.
In addition, babies’ brains are wired for learning languages from birth and will continue to develop throughout their childhood. However, after about age 10 this ability starts to deteriorate and it becomes harder for them to pick up a second language.
This means that if you want your child to learn a second language, it’s important that you introduce it to them while they’re still young – ideally before they turn three years old.
Why should we encourage bilingualism?
There are many reasons to embrace bilingualism in our children. The benefits go beyond being able to communicate with friends and relatives and can even result in a higher IQ.
In our next post, we will discuss more about why should we encourage bilingualism, and how it is beneficial to the child in many ways. We will also touch on what you can do as a parent to support your child’s language development.
In the meantime, if you have any questions or concerns about your young one’s bilingual development, do let us know!
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Happy reading.
KA.
