Bilingualism

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer notes that the entire world is undergoing a major change with the increase in globalization and becoming a flat enterprise. The writer also discusses that it will be pertinent for future generations to know more than one language to succeed in their careers, regardless of what these occupations may be. In addition, the writer maintains that the U.S. is far behind other countries in terms of knowing other languages. The writer concludes that for the U.S. to remain a successful economically competitive country, it will have to promote more language acquisition among children.

From the Paper:

"Over the years, as scholars attempted to define bilingualism, different theories were suggested. For example, in order to conceptualize linguistic organization in bilinguals, in 1953 Weinreich made a distinction between compound and coordinate bilingualism. The compound bilingual had one semantic system and two language codes, and the coordinate bilingual had two semantic systems, and two language codes. Compound bilinguals acquire their languages in a joint context and are thought to store linguistic information interdependently. Coordinates instead acquire their languages in separate contexts and are considered to maintain independent linguistic stores. However, this concept was later negated, because semantic systems often overlap and actually sometimes converge. Today, people do not see the difference so much as distinct semantic systems as they do separate cultures."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Baker, C. Foundations of bilinqual education and bilinaualism. Philadelphia: Multilingual Matters, 1993.
• Dibold, Jr. A.R. Incipient bilingualism. Languge (1961) 17.
• Garcia, O. & Otheguy, R. The bilingual education of Cuban-American children in Dade Country's Ethnic Schools. Language and Education, (1987). 1: 83-89.
• Haugen, E. Analysis of linguistic borrowing. Language (1954) 26.
• Romaine, S. Bilingulism. UK: Blackwell Publishers Inc., 1995

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• Analytical Essay # 57422 : "Bilingualism"
• Term Paper # 97816 : "Bilingualism in America"

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