Bilingualism and Multilingualism today is an interdisciplinary and complex field of study among scholars. To understand in simple terms as self-evident from
the prefixes [bi-and multi] multilingualism phenomena are purely devoted to the
study of production, processing, and comprehension of two [and more than two
languages] respectively.
What’s the difference between
bilingualism and multilingualism?
As
adjectives, the difference between bilingual and multilingual is that bilingual
is having the ability to speak two languages while multilingual is pertaining
to multiple languages.
Some
individuals either by virtue of staying in more than two or more places during
their early stage in life are able to catch-up with the grace or ability to
express themselves in more than a language while other people study the
language. Naturally, language is part of us as a human beings. We cannot be
separated from it. No language is inferior or superior. Every language is equal
in my own assessment.
Nobody is
too poor not to be able to have a language of his own. No man without a
language. No nation without a language. No tribe or individual without a
language. Language is a natural property of every living soul. Those without
language have natural or artificial challenges or problem that needs to be
corrected. We use language for so many things in the society. Language also
means a lot among the nations of the world. Our languages do unite or
differentiate us as individuals or as a nation.
As a noun,
bilingual is person or individual who is having the ability to use two
languages to express or communicate with. This is characterized by the grace or
ability to use two languages. In simple term,
an ability to use effectively two different languages.
Multilingual is pertaining to multiple languages [or of a person]
able to communicate fluently in multiple languages in the society.
Multilingualism-is the use of more than one language either by a person, an
individual speaker or by a group of speakers. People who speak several
languages are also called polyglots.
Today, it is
acceptable or believed that those who have the ability or divine grace to speak
multiple languages as outnumber monolingual speakers [those who speaks only a
language]
As a result
of technology and civilization, access to information facilitated by the
internet, people are more exposed to multiple languages. This is becoming more
possible. People involved in global trading are sometimes forced to learn more
languages required in transactions.
In fact,
people who know more than one language have been recently reported to be more
adapting at language learning when compared to monolinguals. Also,
multilingualism is advantageous for people who desired to participate in
globalization and cultural openness.
Monolingual- is the ability to speak only one
language proficiently. Most children have proficiency in their mother tongue.
Bilingualism- is the ability to speak two
languages proficiently, though not necessarily perfectly.
Multilingualism-is the ability to speak many
languages proficiently [though not necessarily perfectly] the use of more than
one language by an individual. When we refer to or talk about proficiency, we
are laying emphasis or referring to an individual or person’s ability to
communicate in a language. Times, people also call this fluency, although the
two terms have a different meanings to those with linguistic training.
Benefits of Bilingualism or
Multilingualism:
Really, from improved brain performance to strong
professional or business opportunities, being bilingual and multilingual has so
many advantages over the use of one language.
Today, it is
common that once people are able to communicate effectively in the English language
[either as a native or non-native] they quickly take on learning another
language. Someone quoted:
‘’To have another
language is to possess a second soul’’
Some of the cogent benefits of
Bilingualism is:
1. Ability to speak and communicate with
more people worldwide. Those who can speak more than one language do not
experience a language barrier when they pay a visit to some countries of the world
where a different language is spoken. For instant, if you study and learn Spanish
it will help gain access without communication problems when traveled to some
continents in the world.
2. Those who have the skill or ability
to express themselves in other languages in addition to their mother tongue are
able to understand the culture of other people in the world. Language is part
of the culture. Your language portraits your culture away.
Actually, someone’s critical thinking skills do improve as one learns to
view the world through a different more cultural lens.
In that wise, you can become less of a tourist when you visit other cultures and communicate with more people
and feel more at home, traveling like a native. That shows the power of
language.
3. Keep
the Brain in shape
The more you engage the brain, the more it performs or function
effectively. An interesting advantage of studying another language is that it
keeps your brain very sharp, creating new visions, better pathways. This is
most cases enables language learners to quickly switch between two tasks or
cognitive functions.
In addition, studies and reports show that speaking two languages will
reduce your chances of developing dementia, including Alzheimer’ diseases that
is common in some parts of the world.
Also, research shows that studying
languages can improve your memory and slow age-related forgetfulness greatly!
4. Getting ahead in the workplace
Today, big corporations and international organizations do love to employ
workers who have the ability to speak or communicate in other languages apart
from the English language. This is one of the benefits of Bilingualism. Those who
can speak more than two or three languages in the workplace do have added
advantage.
According to MIT economist, Albert Saiz, proficiency in Spanish will pay
off with a whopping $51,000 more in your bank account over a lifetime.
For instant, only about 20% of Americans speak Spanish, which makes it an an-in-demand language for the Americans' job market.
The employers of labor are searching for highly impressive resumes and being
bilingual or multilingual is a strong and perfect way to make your CV stand out
and have a sterling edge among others in a highly competitive labor market.
Therefore, if you desire to be bilingual in Spanish or other languages so
as to advance your skills and chances in the job market or wish to take up the language for the cultural experience
or exposure, there is definitely an abundance of knowledge to be acquired or
gained if you can endeavor to pursue the valiant task of pursuing fluency.
Be well assured, your efforts will
pay off in a big way. Indeed, learning other languages is like you have
discovered your second soul in life.
5. The ability to make rational
decisions or think well
Speaking another language does help to make more rational decisions as
individuals. People with more than one
language do enjoy the ability to focus on the information rather than their own
emotions or belief. Other language study aids the ability to think straight at
times.
6. Speaking another language gives a new
perspective to life generally.
With the study f more than one language, you will understand life better.
Speaking other languages will allow you t interact with different people and
understand the nuances of other cultures around. This might lead to additional
opportunities to make friends and be well exposed to different hobbies and
different styles of life.
7. Knowing a second language or more can
give you an edge if you want to apply for jobs like Peace Corps or become a
Foreign Service officer in the foreign mission. In fact, knowing a second
language can open up new career opportunities. Bilingualism can improve your
competitiveness in the job market.
8. Bilingualism can slow the effect of
old age in people.
There is a lifelong benefit of being bilingual in life.
For instance, the cognitive flexibility, [is the ability to adapt to
unfamiliar or unexpected circumstance]. Tends to reduce as we grow in an age in
life,. It is discovered that those who have the advantage of speaking a second
language can block easily that decline or at least delay it significantly.
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