Multilingualism: Positive & Negative Consequences on Society
FINAL ESSAY: The second assignment will be an essay and can be linked to what you do for part one (the ‘Research Proposal’), but this is not a requirement; it is worth 60% of the overall module mark, and should be around 2000 words. Topics for assignments include main areas that have been discussed this semester. Choose ONE of the questions below as an assignment question.
A. Sociolinguistics
1. Generally speaking, sociolinguistics considers spoken rather than written forms of languages. Begin by describing the differences between the two forms. Then, consider why linguistics tends to view speech as ‘primary’ and writing as ‘secondary’. Finally, discuss the ways in which people (perhaps using yourself as an example) relate to and use spoken and written forms of language.
2. Discuss why and how sociolinguistics’ focus on language variation was and continues to be a departure from generativists’ analysis of language. Explain, with detailed reference to a range of sociolinguistic approaches and ideas, how this departure has increased or, perhaps, not increased our understanding of language.
B. Variation and Language
Consider who speaks English in the world, where and for what purposes. (Be careful not to be too broad in your approach, other than in the early part of your essay. Pick one ‘group’, or two at the very most, and focus on this or these in close detail).
C. Language Variation and Style
1. It appears that when people start to sermonise about a topic, particularly language, they tend to take more care over their style of speech. What topics would you expect to make people morecareful about their style of speech and why?
2. Do you think Bell’s (1991) audience-design approach is just another way of referring to Labov’s (1966) notion of style-shifting regarding how much attention speakers are paying to listeners? Or, are the differences between these two more deep-seated?
D. Language Attitudes
Speakers of a language can differ in how negative they find a word. (In English for example, people have varying attitudes towards ‘gay’, ‘bitch’ and ‘stud’). What determines how positively or negatively you might perceive particular words? Is it the people who use them or what the words refer to? And, what other factors might there be? (You can select your own words and they do not need to be from English, but an English translation is required of the words you select).
E. Multilingualism, Language Use and Language Choice
1. Describe positive and negative consequences that multilingualism might have for a society.
2. Consider the language policies in your own country and ‘who’ decides what language(s) will be used in institutional domains, such as law and education. In connection, what account is taken of minority groups and/or immigrants whose first language may not be the national language?
3. Many multilinguals use a different language (or languages) at home from the one(s) they use outside the home and at work. If you are like this, map the process by which you select a language or variety for use in a particular situation; and also consider the reasons why you shift between languages and, perhaps, code-switch within a conversation.
F. Social Class and Language Use
To what extent does the way in which an individual talks tell you about this person, in terms of, for example, age, gender, ethnic background, occupation and level of education, among other possible social variables?
G. Communities of Practice and Social Networks
Describe the extent to which your own country (or another one with which you are familiar) can be considered a single speech community instead or as well as a complex grouping of intersecting speech communities.
H. Gender and Language Use
Consider how a women’s magazine, and a magazine aimed primarily at men, use language to refer to and describe males and females. What differences do you notice and how can account for these?
I. Contact between Languages
In national contexts dominated by one language, it is generally minority groups who become multilingual, show diglossia in action or code-switch more than members of the majority.
Minority groups generally adapt in these ways to survive in the face of external economic and political pressures. Describe a situation with which you are familiar and explain some of the social and/or linguistic outcomes of contact.
Acknowledgements
The following questions have been adapted from Meyerhoff’s (2006). Introducing Sociolinguistics: C1, C2, D and E3.
The following questions have been adapted from Paulston & Tucker’s (eds) (2003). Sociolinguistics: The Essential Readings: B, E1 and E2.
References
Bell, A. (1991). The Language of News Media. Oxford: Blackwell.
Labov, W. (1966). The Social Stratification of English in New York City. Washington, DC: Center for Applied Linguistics.
POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES THAT MULTILINGUALISM MIGHT HAVE ON A SOCIETY
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Positive And Negative Consequences That Multilingualism Might Have on A Society Introduction
It is possible to converse fluently in more than two languages at once. The vast majority of the world's population is either bilingual or multilingual, despite what some cultures believe. Many words are borrowed from other languages to provide a universal definition for specific names, nouns, or adjectives in a world where over 5,000 different languages are spoken. Loanwords are a term for these kinds of words. Although there are many distinct meanings for the term multilingualism, pinpointing the benefits and drawbacks of this lifestyle can be difficult. Because of the nature of their upbringing, some people are forced to learn many languages at a young age, making it difficult for them to thrive in the modern world (Chen, 2010). In addition, some people must begin learning additional languages later in life because they are only capable of speaking one at birth. Therefore, it is possible that even if a person can read fluently in a foreign language, they may still have difficulty expressing it. It takes six months to become fluent in a new language if one studies it every day (Hlavac, 2013). In addition, some people have a lot easier time deciphering what is said than others. Therefore, one will find it much easier to learn a third language once they have mastered two others.
A foreign language is required of all students in Basque Autonomous Community schools, and parents can choose to have their children learn in either Basque or Spanish or both. Basque has superseded English as the predominant language of instruction in schools in the Basque Country at the beginning of the twenty-first century. While more than a third of the people in the Basque Autonomous Community is fluent in the Basque language, many parents who do not speak it opt to educate their children in Basque. Speaking Basque can be an advantage when the time comes for their children to enter the workforce, so they do this to give them a sense of belonging. In addition to the healthcare business, government, administration, and higher education, the Basque language is widely used because of the country's strong language policy.
Positive Effects of Multilingualism
1 Having the ability to communicate fluently in more than one language increases one's employability.
As an employee, the more languages a person can fluently speak, the more valuable they will be to a firm. For example, in San Francisco, more than half of the families looking for a nanny want to work with someone fluent in a language other than their own (Flubacher, Duchêne and Coray, 2017). In addition, a primary and a secondary language can be learned more quickly if a child is exposed to multiple languages from an early age. This is because they are simultaneously learning both languages. Therefore, children who learn a second language early on have an advantage in the workforce.
2 Many languages encourage the emergence of diversity at an early stage.
Cultural issues, political debates, immigration issues, or religious beliefs are not at the top of a young person's list of priorities in life. Playing video games, forming close friendships, and receiving a challenging education are the most critical concerns for today's children and teenagers (WEI, 2011). Diversity among human civilizations can be celebrated when students access multilingual education. Instead of trying to avoid cultural differences out of fear, those who are bilingual should endeavor to comprehend them (Ginsburgh and Weber, 2011). Learning about various cultures, people, and traditions helps one gain inner strength and self-confidence from realizing how unique our perspective is. In addition, information that illustrates a more comprehensive picture might help individuals better grasp their place in society.
3 Multilingualism improves the ability of a person's working memory.
People who learn many languages have a superior working memory, which is one of the advantages of learning multiple languages in school. When new auditory stimuli, thoughts, or concepts are presented, or real-world experiences are gained, this increase allows for more excellent information processing capacities (Xiu et al., 2018). Those who pursue a multilingual education also have lower anxiety levels and are less likely to be afflicted by mental health issues. Compare this with those that do not go to school for this kind of thing. When it comes to making friends, those fluent in multiple languages are more likely to have a more extensive social network than those limited to just one. With a more excellent range of people to talk to, you have an increased chance of forming friendships with them.
4 It is easier to learn a second language if one already knows the first one.
After mastering two languages, it is easier for students to learn a third, fourth, and so on because they already have the necessary core knowledge. With each new language a person knows, their capacity to communicate fluently in that language increases exponentially (Liu et al., 2017). They can better focus on one task while switching between different types of work if they have access to both their native language and a second language. Super-tasking, an advanced kind of multitasking, can be encouraged through the practice of speaking many languages (Meyerhoff, 2018). Employers and your own company will profit from your proficiency in the language required of those who are at least bilingual.
5 Learning a second language increases one's wisdom.
Wisdom can be defined in various ways, but the most common definition is accumulating one's own life experiences. People consider old souls have a wealth of life experience that sets them apart from the average citizen (Grüter, Zhu and Jackson, 2021). However, the benefits of living in a new culture as part of one's educational experience cannot be overestimated; this is especially true for individuals studying abroad. With more wisdom available while making judgments, it becomes easier to tell right from wrong in your own life. A direct result is that selecting the best options has become more accessible.
6 Navigating the world will be easier because one can understand what others are saying.
Even though being able to speak a variety of languages has its drawbacks, such as the constant need to prove your nationality, traveling throughout the world has become much more accessible. Even if one has to speak in their native language or provide a valid travel document to get past customs, the benefits greatly exceed the minor difficulties (Alison Gopnik and Buchsbaum, 2013). For example, it is much easier to comprehend what you are ordering at a restaurant, get directions, or get a recommendation when you speak the local language.
7 Numerous cognitive benefits may strengthen the brain.
The working memory improves when one learns a new language on top of their current fluency in many languages. According to some research, stroke risk may be reduced even further if a person is fluent in more than one language (Cools, 2016). As early as seven months old, children can benefit from this advantage, which allows them to better adapt to changes in their environment.
8 A person's physical and mental well-being improves due to their capacity to communicate in multiple languages.
The ability to communicate in more than one language has been discovered to have considerable benefits for the brain, as evidenced by an increasing body of studies. Delaying the onset of dementia, even for a short period, can be achieved by learning a new language (MacLeod, 2017). As a bilingual person, your risk of having Alzheimer's dis...