What is Bilingualism?
There is not a concrete definition of bilingualism- it can vary from country, region, even from person to person, depending on their perspective of bilingualism. Most of the time, it is defined as the ability to understand, speak, write, and read two languages in a proficient level. Sometimes, it is the ability to understand both cultures of the languages. However, views on bilingual speakers have had a drastic change, especially in the United States.
"Many Americans have long been of the opinion that bilingualism is ‘a good thing’ if it was acquired via travel (preferably to Paris) or via formal education (preferably at Harvard) but that it is a ‘bad thing’ if it was acquired from one’s immigrant parents or grandparents. " -Fishman
"Many Americans have long been of the opinion that bilingualism is ‘a good thing’ if it was acquired via travel (preferably to Paris) or via formal education (preferably at Harvard) but that it is a ‘bad thing’ if it was acquired from one’s immigrant parents or grandparents. " -Fishman
Did you know, only 18% of the population can speak another language, other than English, while in Europe, it is close to 53%?Bilingualism has existed for a long, long time- it is not a new concept, but after the World Wars, it has taken a negative connotation, an euphemism for "poor" or "immigrant", but being able to speak more than 1 language is far from that. Even after years of research on benefits of bilingualism and radical changes for minority group's rights, the turbulence of bilingualism in the United States is still far from being completely accepted as part of the reality. However, this doesn't mean there is nothing left to do. On the contrary, they say it all begins at home- in teaching our children, our nephews and nieces, our brothers and sisters, that being able to speak another language or in being part of another culture is not something to be embarrassed about, but to take advantage of it; to teach them to respect and learn about their cultures and in doing so, to accept their own bilingual identity.
(a more detailed historical background can be found by clicking here)
(a more detailed historical background can be found by clicking here)