PSY 540 Bilingualism short paper

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Running Head: BILINGUALISM 1 Short Paper: Bilingualism PSY 540 Southern New Hampshire University Adria Kalla Dr. Jay Greiner

BILINGUALISM 2 Bilingualism In order to understand bilingualism we first must understand the context of language. Language is everyone’s main source of communication whether it be monolingual or bilingual has a huge influence on human cognition and general communication. The way that someone communicates, including their word choice, body language, and tone, has a major impact on how their words are interpreted by their listener. Language shapes and structures our thoughts, allowing for critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making. In addition, language has an impact on one’s perception and memory, I believe that language can both promote and limit communication between people. “There are often concerns that learning two languages simultaneously from birth stretches the limits of infants’ ability to acquire language and that they can become confused and unable to differentiate between languages if their parents use both in the home; Paridis Genesee, and Crago (2011) refer to this as the “limited capacity theory” of bilingual acquisition”. Language and cognition tend to interact in a dual and cyclical relationship, a theory known overall as linguistic relativity. What one thinks becomes what one communicates and what one communicates can lead to new thoughts. Our language and culture determines how we react to the words that are used. For example, some languages and cultures talk using directions. In some cultures, you cannot say hello without knowing what direction you are going (TED, 2017). This is not the case for the English language, we simply can say “hello.” It was pointed out that many very well educated individuals do not know their directions when asked to tell someone which way is south. However, according to Lera Boroditsky, if our language and culture trains us to talk using directions, we can do it (TED, 2017).

BILINGUALISM 3 In a professional setting, choosing the right words (dialect or terminology) and even body language is very important. When doctors or nurses use phrases like “highly urgent or important” we tend to regard this as such. In some cases, it can cause great alarm and stress. Interpretation goes along with language as we think before we react or respond. Also, language and culture are inextricably linked. Knowledge of another culture and language may help businesses communicate more effectively and build stronger ties by making it more straightforward for them to interact with individuals across the world. By using inclusive language, particularly in the workplace, everyone is more likely to feel valued and respected and leaves no room for misinterpretations or confusion. Those who are bilingual in a professional setting have a greater understanding of cultural nuances, which can enhance communication more effectively with people from different backgrounds. Being in customer service, I have co-workers who speak both English and Spanish and makes me wish that I had taken to learning another language more seriously. I see just how much it can expand language and have less chances to run into ‘language barriers” which can prevent or hinder you from helping a customer. Language and cognition tend to interact in a dual and cyclical relationship, a theory known overall as linguistic relativity. What one thinks becomes what one communicates and what one communicates can lead to new thoughts. As with any new skill learning a new language requires the brain to process and organize new information, which can lead to improved cognitive function, including better memory, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities. Overall, learning a new language helps cognitive abilities by expanding the mind to see different structures and use of language which gives way to new thinking.

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BILINGUALISM 4 Advantages and Disadvantages There are many advantages of bilingualism which include brain flexibility, and strength in learning. Brain flexibility is significant because bilinguals tend to expand their cognitive learning and can pick up complex math concepts and word problems with a more “out of the box” thinking then monolinguals. This is due to increased development in thinking, focusing, decision-making skills, and memory. “Research has shown that bilingual individuals enjoy certain neurocognitive advantages in comparison with monolinguals. A bilingual advantage has been demonstrated in the performance of tasks that call for selective attention including tasks that require focusing, inhibiting, and switching attention during problem solving (Genesee, F., 2015)”. Those who speak 2 languages also develop a more flexible or “ outside the box” approach to problem-solving. This is due to their ability to read and think in multiple languages which promotes a higher level of abstract thinking, which is an important aspect of learning. Bilingualism helps in many ways “bilinguals a brain boost, speaking a second language may have a profound effect on behavior (de Lange, C., 2012)”. This is important considering that modern learning approaches often consist of a technology-based component and all of its associated distractions. Children who learn to read in their home language develop a strong foundation in which they can build upon when learning a second language because they can transfer the learned knowledge about reading to their second language. With advantages comes disadvantages and some of those with bilingualism are that they can experience slower rates of progress in learning languages and language difficulties such as differentiating meanings. Bilinguals tend to have a smaller vocabulary in the languages they speak than those who only speak one language and also have a delay in retrieving words. This can be due to more of a “cognitive conflict of choosing the word from the appropriate language,

BILINGUALISM 5 rather than simply choosing the appropriate word, as monolinguals do (Olson, 2014)”. Overall, being bilingual opens up things such as another culture, social experiences, and can enhance career opportunities all over. On the other hand it can also lead to language confusion, delayed language, reduced cognitive development, and can have an impact on social and emotional development. Although there are a few disadvantages there seems to be more advantages to bilingualism as it can enhance many other aspects of cognitive development.

BILINGUALISM 6 References: Boroditsky, L. (2017, November). How language shapes the way we think . Lera Boroditsky: How language shapes the way we think | TED Talk. https://www.ted.com/talks/lera_boroditsky_how_language_shapes_the_way_we_th ink?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare De Lange, C. (2012). My two minds. (Cover story). New Scientist , 214 (2863), 30–33. https://doi- org.ezproxy.snhu.edu/10.1016/S0262-4079(12)61169-5 Genesee, F. (2015). Myths about early childhood bilingualism. Canadian Psychology / Psychologie Canadienne , 56 (1), 6– 15. https://doi-org.ezproxy.snhu.edu/10.1037/a0038599 Olson, K. R. (2014, April 27). When does bilingualism help or hurt? Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/developing-minds/201404/when-does- bilingualism-help-or-hurt

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