Language Learning, Bilingualism and Assimilation - Research Paper Example

?Language Learning, Bilingualism and Assimiltaion Introduction One is said to be bilingual if he/she van speak two different languages according to Bialystok and Martin (326). On the other hand, one is said to be multilingual if one can speak multiple languages. In the world today, statistics show that bilingual or multilingual speakers far outnumber their monolingual counterparts. What this means is that multilingualism has become a popular p henomenon especially necessitated by the needs of a globalised world and openness to culture. One of the major factors that has seen the growth of multilingualism, is the ease of access to information as made possible by the establishment and growing use of the Internet. Indeed people are today getting more exposed to a variety of languages which has in essenc also triggered the need to learn new languages. Some quarters have argued that the learning of second languages has is associated with assimilation. This paper will argue that the learning of a second language is not necessarily part of assimilation. In spite of the potential differences in meaning of the terms bilingual and multilingual and their derivatives, this paper will use the two interchangeably. Every human society or culture communicates to a large extent through spoken word. What this means that language has played and continues to play a major role in communication. One may wonder how much backward the world would be without language. Arguably, the world would have developed faster if all humans used the same language to communicate. Although this is not the case, it is evident that humans are trying to overcome communication barriers by learning new languages and cultures. Bilingualism has beome a ommon phenomenon with many countries introducing foreign languages in school curricular. The spoken or written word is today more appreciated that ever before especilly considering the effects of successful and unsuccessful negotiations. Indeed, the power of language and word is beyond desription. Multilingualism The definition of the term multilingual is subject to much debate. While some scholars argue that a multilingual person is one who can passively or actively ommunicate in a language different from their first language. Others however argue that a multilingual person must acquire a first language during childhood through formal education (Kaplan 12). There are cases where a person learns two languages simulteneously which essentially makes one a simulteneous bilingual. Yet again, other sholars argue that a multilingual speaker is one who can accurately communicate in a second language almost as much as they an speak in their native language or mother tongue. People learn different languages in different ways according to Wolff (11). While some may acquire a new language during childhood by interacting with people who speak the second language, others learn by attending formal education (The Linguistic Society of America 2). A child may learn to speak two languages if both their parents speak different languages or if their signifiant others consistently communicate with them in the second language. In the United States of America, for example, most bilingual people are either immigrants or hildren of immigrants as noted by Richard and Victor (67). It is common to find an American child speaking English while in school and their mother tongue when at home. This also applies to other countries. While people can also learn a new language in old age, it is a fact that it becomes more difficult to acquire the new language as much as a native speaker as age progresses. The learning of a new language depends to some extent on the similarity between the two languages. Languages that are cloely related or that have similar syntax are easier to learn compared to their counterparts. Yet again, second language learning depends to a great extent on the urrent knowledge and previous experience of the learner in relation to the new language. Advantages and Disadvantages of Multilingualism Although many people argue that learning a new language is a move in the wrong direction, this may not be the case in reality according to The Linguistic Society of America (2). Past studies have shown that second language learning actually motivates a person’s cognitive development. Second language learning is also beneficial when one is an immigrant in a country. While the person may fiond it important to communicate in the second language when dealing with the natives of the country, they will also maintain their ethnic roots and cultural background by speaking in their mother tongiue while at home. Yet again, in the global arena, it is a advantegeous to learn several languages regardless of one’s ethnic background. The advantage of this may be seen when one interacts with potential business customers who cannot communicate in one language or another such as tourists. Some people find it easier to express certain feelings in a language different from their native language. Walter Benn notes in his article of his grandfather, But my father was not shy, I realised, when I’d wath him speak Spanish with relatives. Using Spanish, he was quickly effusive….his voice would spark, flicker and flare alive with sounds. In Spanish, he expresed ideas and feelings he rarely revealed in English. With firm Spanish sounds, he onveyed confidence and authority English would never allow him. (Walter 17) On the other hand, a person may feel like an outsider if they are not able to effectively communicate in their native language compared to their second language. Assimilation With respect to culture, assimilation occurs when a minoroty group gets adapted to the attitudes and customs of the prevailing customs and culture gradually (Richard & Victor 46). However, with respect to linguistics, assimilation relates to the process of one sound becoming similar to another (Wolff 102). In other words, assimilation involves, generally, the incorporation of an outside world into the inside world without stutural changes ovcuring in the inside world. Assimlation may be seen in either positive or negative sense. Cultural or social assimilation is seen in positive light when the minority group adopts practices that are considered inhumane or savage by adopting certain positive aspects of the prevailing culture. On the other hand, assmilation is perceived in negative light when the dominant group forces assimilation upon a minority group with the aim of negatively exploting the latter in one way or another. With respect to language, a minority group may get assimilated when they learn how to talk or pronounce words differently from the way they would naturally pronouce them (Richard & Victor 76). Bilingualism and Assimilation Several cultures and peoplehave gotten assimilated to cultures previously foreign to them as noted by Richard and Victor 46). The process of assimilation as previously noted is usually gradual and therefore takes a relatively long time. In the United States of America, many immigrants and offsprings of former slaves have adapted the Amican lifestyle and culture. In this sense, they have become assimilated to the new culture and way of living (Edward 45). Many people consider the learning of a new language as part of assimilation. This notion is founded on the belief that one gets to learn and understand a new culture faster when they can understand the language spoken by the people that belong to the same. In the 17th and 18th centuries when slavery and colonialism was rife, slaveholders liked to see their slaves learn their language (Edward 55; Richard & Victor 34). ). This was perceived to be a first and major step toward their assimilation. While cultural, social and language assimilation may apply when one learns a new language, this is never the case always. Many people for example learn a second language without necessarily adapting to the new cultures or social norms (Richard & Victor 46). Also, as generations speak different languages depending on where they live, work and study, with time they develop a preference for commiunicating in a certain alnguage without necessarily being influenced by the dominant group. In this sense, the new language is adopted with little or absolutely no influence from the dominant group. In the work environment, people may engage in communication using a common language for the common good and not in an effort to present themselves as members of a dominant group. This basically shows that assimilation is not always a factor in the learning of a new language onsidering that convenience and mutual understanding in the work environment, for example, are most important. It is also worth noting that people may get assimilated even without learning the language of the dominant group. The minor group may, for exampele, learn various cultural practices of the dominant group but not its language which implies assimilation without language learning. Conclusion For effective and fast communication, humans rely on the languages that they speak or understand. The developments seen across the world today are a result of negotiations that are a result of communication. People may communicate verbally among themselves using various languages depending on whether or not they understand one another and appreciate the message being passed. Bilingualism relates to individuals being able to communicate in two languages. The term bilingual is closely related and sometimes interchangeabke with the term multilingual. The definition of language being complex, it is even more complicated to define the boundaries that exists between a monolingual and a multilingual. Although some sholars note that a biliungual should be able to communicate both passively and actively in both languages, others state that the competence level of the speaker should almost be at par in respect of both languages for one to be considered a bilingual. The learning of a second language has been facilitated by people’s need to interact with people for various reasons or purposes. The Internet, media, and mass communication channels have made the flow of information easier which has also impacted on people’s need and desire to acquire a new language. Yet another factor that has impacted the learning of a new language is globalization. Assimilation has simply been defined as the integration of a minor group in the dominant group or the process ofmaking one sound sound like another. Language according to some experts has been a mojor indicator of the level of assimilation a minor group has undergone. It is worth noting that being a bilingual or multilingual posses no danger to either the bilingual speaker themselves or the second language. However, knowing how to communicate in several languages has various advantages. These adavtages come not only to the bilingual speaker but to the society at large. Works Cited Bialystok E., Martin M. "Attention and inhibition in bilingual children: evidence from the dimensional change card sort task". Dev Sci 7 (3): 325–339. 2004. Print. Edward Murguia. Assimilation, Colonialism, and the Mexican American People, Center for Mexican American Studies, University of Texas at Austin. 1975. Print. Kaplan, Robert. "Cultural thought patterns in inter-cultural education language learning. 16(1-2). 1-20. Wiley Library. 2006. Web. Richard Alba & Victor Nee. Remaking the American Mainstream. Assimilation and Contemporary Immigration. Harvard University Press. 2003. Print. The Linguistic Society of America. Bilingualism. N.d. Web. https://lsadc.org/info/pdf_files/Bilingual.pdf Wolff, Ekkehard. Language and Society. In: Bernd Heine and Derek Nurse (Eds.) African Languages - An Introduction, 317. Cambridge University Press. 2000. Print. Read More