Bilingualism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Bilingualism - Essay Example 183). Romaine (2000, p.2) notes that growing up bilingual means learning to be competent in two languages and this ultimately means compiling knowledge from two languages. This paper examines the potential advantages and disadvantages of growing up bilingual by first analysing the concept and process of acquiring bilingualism. The outcome of acquiring bilingualism will also be analysed. By taking this approach the challenges and how those challenges carry over in practice will provide a robust indication of the advantages and disadvantages of growing up bilingual. There appears to be two perspectives. Research dating back to 1913 reveals that growing up bilingual has a number of benefits particularly socially, culturally and linguistically. Other researchers argue that growing up bilingual limits the child’s ability to retain and extend his/her own language and creates distance from its own culture, society and impedes intellectual possibilities (Makin, Diaz and McLachlan 2007 , p. 205). Learning another language is expected to create some challenges particularly for the small child who is learning to speak generally. Theoretically at least, growing up bilingual must be particularly challenging for children who are learning to count, read and spell. Learning these basic functions in one language is difficult enough. Therefore it is not difficult to believe that growing up bilingual can inhibit the child’s intellectual possibilities. However, children who are exposed to two languages do have the opportunity to learn valuable linguistic skills and to exercise their respective cognitive skills in ways that monolingual children do not. The research sheds light on whether or not the advantages outweigh the disadvantages to growing up bilingual. I. Definition and Process of Bilingualism A. Definition Defining bilingualism has proven difficult as researchers are divided on what it means to be bilingual. Some researchers prefer a narrow definition of bilin gualism and insist that in order to be bilingual, an individual must be â€Å"very close to two monolinguals† (Reicholf-Wilscher 2008, p. 14). Other researchers in more recent times have preferred a broader definition of bilingualism, and have regarded bilingualism as a â€Å"common human condition that makes it possible for an individual to function, at some level, in more than one language† (Reicholf-Wilscher 2008, p. 14). Bilingualism means that children will be exposed to more than one culture and language at a very young age, most often at birth if they are growing up bilingual. There are obvious challenges for the young child as he/she begins the learning process. On the other hand, once the child learns two languages, this can be beneficial to the child later on. For instance if the family speaks one language at home and the child enters a school that teaches in another language, learning two languages will not only be necessary but beneficial to the childâ€⠄¢s education. Farther on, as the child enters adulthood, being bilingual will provide greater flexibility and opportunities in the job markets. However,if claims that bilingual children can suffer intellectual setbacks are believed, having flexibility and greater job opportunities is not only necessary but compensatory. B. The Process of Bilingualism In a majority of cases in which children become bilingual, the process of bilingualism occurs naturally and is