Short description:

Bilingualism provides a concise and lively introduction to bilingualism as a social and linguistic phenomenon and explains its impact on individuals and on society. Aimed at students with no background in linguistics, this book is essential reading for anyone studying bilingualism for the first time.

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Long description:

Bilingualism provides a concise and lively introduction to bilingualism as a social and linguistic phenomenon and explains its impact on individuals and on society. Addressing questions such as what it means to be bilingual, how one becomes bilingual, and how exposure to more than one language affects a child?s cognitive development, this book features:

• an introduction to the linguistic, sociolinguistic, and cognitive outcomes of bilingualism, including bilingual language acquisition, the grammar of language-mixing, the link between language choice and identity, and the value of maintaining and promoting bilingualism;


• up-to-date overviews of the prominent concerns and facts about bilingualism;


• activities and discussion questions which invite readers to consider their own perspectives on bilingualism and how it manifests in their own lives and communities;


• links to relevant videos and suggested further reading, including topical novels, short stories, and essays.

Aimed at students with no background in linguistics, this book is essential reading for anyone studying bilingualism for the first time.

"Bilingualism scholars are constantly striving to better explain and understand multilingualism. This introductory textbook admirably engages readers in the same spirit of curious and enthusiastic inquiry. This is a truly thought-provoking and pedagogically well-designed book that will lead to a better understanding of the complex and ubiquitous phenomenon of multilingual language learning and use."

Annick De Houwer, Universität Erfurt, Germany

"Written in a very clear and compelling style, with lucid examples and thought-provoking questions, this book offers a wealth of information about the complex spectrum of bilingualism, ranging from psycho- and neuro-linguistics to contact linguistics. In doing so, the book provides deeper insights into how the multilingual mind and the brain work both in public and private domains/arenas."

Tej K. Bhatia, Syracuse University, New York, USA

"This book could be titled Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Bilingualism But Were Afraid to Ask! Societal, interactional, structural and cognitive aspects of bilingualism are clearly explained and presented with compelling examples and entertaining activities This book will delight linguists and non-linguists, students, teachers, and those reading for pleasure."

Janet M. Fuller, University of Groningen, The Netherlands

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Table of Contents:

Dedication

Acknowledgements

1 Introduction

2 Societal Bilingualism/Plurilingualism

3 Mixing Languages: Structure and Social Functions

4 Childhood Bilingualism

5 Bilingualism and the Brain

6 Summary

Appendix

Index

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