INTRODUCTION
The concept of English as a second language (ESL) is related to that of bilingualism in the sense that ESL exists in a bilingual situation. In this unit, therefore, you will learn about the concept of bilingualism, with a focus on its definition, types and extent. Today, many parts of the world can be said to be bilingual and this has some implications for language policies and language education in such areas. As at now, opinions differ on the place of bilingualism in education, particularly as it relates to the controversy of whether bilingualism should be regarded as an asset or liability in education. The question is whether being bilingual is an advantage or a disadvantage to one educationally. Really, this controversy is not our concern at this level, but it is well for us to be aware of it.
3.1 Definition of Bilingualism
Many definitions have been given to the term bilingualism. According to Bloomfield (1933:56), bilingualism refers to the native-like control of two languages. Francis (1958) also echoes this idea by taking a bilingual person to be somebody with a perfect control of two languages. In his own case, Haugen (1961) defines bilingualism loosely as a practice of two languages. Furthermore, Mackey (1968) sees bilingualism as an alternative use of two or more languages by the same individual.
These definitions have their merits and demerits. For example, Bloomfield’s definition is inadequate because it only describes one type of bilingualism. The same thing goes for Francis. Haugen’s definition of bilingualism is also too loose. Mackey’s definition of bilingualism is more realistic and adequate for our purpose in this unit. Therefore, we shall regard bilingualism as the use of two languages by an individual or a community. The two languages exist side by side and are used by the individual or the community. In other words, bilingualism is a product of a language contact situation – it is a consequence of two languages in contact, with the possibility of cross-linguistic influence between the two languages. This means simply that there is the possibility of the two languages influencing each other.
Self-Assessment Exercise
1. How do you think an alternative use of two languages by the same individual is possible?
3.2 Types of Bilingualism
From the definitions of bilingualism that you have seen in 3.1, it should become obvious to you that bilingualism is not of one type. Two broad types of bilingualism which have been identified are individual bilingualism and societal bilingualism. Individual bilingualism is a phenomenon in which an individual is capable of an alternative use of two languages. He may decide to use language A or language B, depending on the subject of discourse, participants and setting, among other factors. An educated Nigerian, for instance, is a bilingual person in the sense that he or she can speak his or her indigenous language and English.
Societal bilingualism describes a situation whereby two different languages exist and function independently within the society
ENG 151 INTRODUCTION TO ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE
concerned. When there is a functional differentiation between the two languages, there is what is called bilingualism with diglossia. Diglossia therefore describes a situation in which the two languages that exist side by side in a society have their separate domains of use. For example, in most cases in Nigeria English will be used for official, national affairs while the indigenous languages will be used for informal family discussions.
There may also be bilingualism without diglossia. This obtains when there is no functional differentiation between the two languages existing side by side in a community. This means the two language can be used in all domains.
Self-Assessment Exercise
1. Distinguish between individual bilingualism and societal bilingualism
3.3 Extent of Bilingualism
By extent of bilingualism we refer to the degrees of individual bilingualism. When we talk of the degrees of individual bilingualism, we can have coordinate bilingualism, compound bilingualism and incipient bilingualism.
3.3.1 Coordinate Bilingualism
Coordinate bilingualism is a situation where a person is able to speak two different languages with equal or partially equal facility. A coordinate bilingual is able to keep the systems of his two languages apart. He understands the roles of each of his languages perfectly well and he is able to communicate in the two languages effectively well. Thus, a coordinate bilingual has “a near native-like competence in his two languages” (Akindele and Adegbite, 1999:34).
3.3.2 Compound Bilingualism
Compound bilingualism describes a situation in which a person does not have equal competence in his two languages. A compound bilingual cannot keep the system of his two languages apart and so, traces of mother tongue interference are noticeable in his use of language. Many Nigerian bilinguals (English and mother tongue) are rather of the compound type.
3.3.3 Incipient Bilingualism
This describes a situation in which a person understands and speaks well one of the two languages existing in his community (especially his mother tongue), but understands the second language only partially. Examples are semi-literate speakers of English among the Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba and other language groups.
4.0 CONCLUSION
Bilingualism is a product of languages in contact. Because language and culture are closely related, bilingualism predisposes biculturalism. In other words, a bilingual person can be said to be bicultural. Just as bilingualism exists in degrees, biculturalism too is a matter of degree.
5.0 SUMMARY
In this unit, we have discussed the definition of bilingualism, types of bilingualism as well as extent or degree of bilingualism. Just as an individual can be bilingual, a society community or community can also be bilingual. Today, bilingualism is a common phenomenon in the world. Many people and many places all over the world are bilingual.
6.0 TUTOR-MARKED Assignments
1. What do you understand by the term bilingualism?
7.0 REFERENCES/FURTHER READINGS
Akindele, F and Adegbite, W (1999) The Sociology and Politics of
English in Nigeria: An Introduction. Ile-Ife: Obafemi Awolowo University Press.
Bloomfied, L (1933) Language. New York: Holt.
Francis, W (1958) the Structure of American English. New York:
Ronald Press co.
Haugen, E. (1961) “The Bilingual Individual” of Reading. In Saporta Psycholiguistics: A Book of Readings. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston.
Mackey, F. (1968) “The Description of Bilingualism” In Fishman, J (ed) Readings in the Sociology of Language. The Hague:
Mouton and Co.
Leave a comment behind