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Ami Tamura
1. Introduction
Over half the population of the world is bilingual, and there are a lot of types of bilingual.
We cannot definite one typical model of bilingual, because there are quite a large number of
bilingual kinds if we look at different aspects. Also, There are different ways to become bilingual,
so I’d like to think about these some kinds of bilingual aspects.
2. Definition of bilingualism
There are many definition of bilingualism, and most people think that a bilingual is
someone who has mastered two languages perfectly, so it’s a special skill. However, bilinguals
speak part of two languages and they use two languages as different tools for different purposes, so
it is difficult to say the bilingual’s abilities in two languages are completely perfect and the same.
We should consider a bilingual from different aspects and regard to be a bilingual. I’d like to see the
criterion from Origin, Competence, Function and Attitudes.
Criterion The mother tongue is the A speaker is bilingual who …
(基準) language …
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2. subtractive bilingual
3. additive bilingual
4. sequential bilingual
Dominant bilingualism(偏重バイリンガズム) occurs when a speaker has a better skill in one
language than the other.
Subtractive bilingualism(消滅的バイリンガリズム) occurs when a second language has higher
social and economical status than a first language. In this case, a second language replaces a first
language.
Additive bilingualism(付加的バイリンガリズム) occurs when two languages have high status
both socially and economically so that a speaker places positive values to both languages. In this
case, both two languages are developed.
Sequential bilingualism(継続的バイリンガリズム) occurs when a person becomes bilingual by
first learning one language and then another.
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invariably that of a minority group
e.g.) Finland (Finnish and Swedish), Canada (English and French). Belgium (Dutch,
French and English), Rumania
5. Bilingual individuals
We can distinguish the bilingual at the personal level with these four categories: each
group under a different kind of pressure to be bilingual, with different prerequisites for it, needing
to pursue a different route (method) to achieve bilingualism, and facing quite different
consequences if it fails.
ⅰElite bilinguals-Folk bilingualism
Elite bilingualism: The privilege of middle-class, well-educated members of most societies.
Folk bilingualism: The conditions of ethnic groups within a single state who have to become
bilingual involuntarily, in order to survive.
Conclusion
Seen from some aspects, there are various kinds of bilingualism. People become bilingual
for a lot of reasons and with many aims. Some people want to become bilingual; other people have
to become bilingual because of social or political situations. In any case, there are no clear
definitions of a bilingual, because their origin, competence, function and attitudes toward L2 are
different. I was really surprised that there are so many kinds of bilingualism, and it’s interesting that
the concept of bilingualism is too large to define it.
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Comprehension Questions
Can you explain the definition of bilingualism and four criterions?
How are the official and individual bilingualism divide into six parts?
Reference
Charlotte Hoffmann. An Introduction to BILINGUALISM first ed. New York: Longman Inc. 1991
Tove Skutnabb-Kangas. Bilingualism or Not: The Education of Minorities first ed. Great Britain
1981
Edith Harding and Philip Riley. The Bilingual Family A handbook for parents Cambridge
University Press 1986