MULTILINGUALISM IN LANGUAGE ACQUISITION.

English literature

1. MULTILINGUALISM

2. ACQUISITION If a person can communicate effectively be it by writing, speaking, or even singing using three or more languages, he/she is considered a multilingual or polyglot. A multilingual can also listen or read passively and understand the message in a different language.

3. MAXIMAL MULTINGUAL These are speakers who are equally proficient in two or more languages.

4. MINIMAL MULTINGUAL These are speakers who can successfully cut across their messages even if they are not fluent in the second or third language. For example, the tourist. They can communicate and make themselves be understood although some of them are not very proficient in the language.

5. CAUSES OF MULTILINGUALISM Globalization and cultural exchan ges are the usual causes of multilingualism. It is becoming a phenomenon in this generation most especially that technology has helped shape and aid in the access to information and the flow of ideas. Colonialism has also contributed to this phenomenon. When colonizer live with their territories, the natives of their colony have to accommodate and learn the colonizer’s language. As a result, the native people absorb and learn the language and apply this in their daily lives. With their unconscious practice, their children have imitated and learned as well the second or third language and continue to incorporate the language into their culture.

6. Another reason for multilingualism is the migration of people . With the advancement of technology and the transport system, it has become easy for people to move and live from one place to the other. In doing so, languages and cultures have been carried and transported in a way as well causing the emergence of multilingualism and cultural exchange.

7. Intermarriage also contributed to the causes of multilingualism. Naturally, when a couple speaking different languages move and live together they are forced to teach each other their languages causing one to learn and later be proficient in this particular language. Unsurprisingly, this also happens to their children. Having parents with different native languages, the children will learn to speak both languages causing them to be bilingual.

8. What do you think are the benefits of being multilingual? Give three and explain with examples.

9. PLURALITY OF ENGLISH “A different language is a different vision of life.” Frederico Fellini Learning Outcomes: Argue as to the need for Standard English and World Englishes; Relate Philippiones English to local/community needs and Address issues concerning multilingualism in the classroom

10. Filipinos would usually say, “I will wear my rubber shoes tomorrow.” An American would not say the same sentence; instead he says, “ I will wear my sneakers tomorrow.” See the difference?” Which of the two statements then is correct? Additionally, a lot of us have been reprimanded by our English teachers in the past to avoid saying the expression CR or comfort room when we need to visit the bathroom as the expression is wrong. What is then the correct expression? Is CR not acceptable?

11. WORLD ENGLISHES “Two dollar onny , dis one” “Wah! So expensive one cannot leh .” “So funny lah you” You go out later, is it? Let’s convoy to restaurant I am a safety driver

12. WORLD ENGLISH VS. WORLD ENGLISHES World English is the language used in business, trade and diplomacy and other international activities, while World Englishes refer to the varieties of English from the different regions of the world. It is a term referring to the emerging Englishes which are products of influences by the United Kingdom or the United States. Globalization is considered an important factor in the spread of English (Schneider, 2011). Additionally, Quirk (1998, cited in Kachru 1990) states that because of demographical, economic, cultural, and imperia factors, language spreads.

13. NATIVIZATION CONTINUUM OF WORLD ENGLISHES DIFFUSION INDUCTION CUSTOMIZATION NATIVE RECOGNITION English is spread as a result of colonization, globalization or by any other means . English is officially accepted as a language used for education, trade, communication, so on. L1 and other local languages start to reshape English slowly by giving it a local touch. Indigenous words form and structure get incorporated into English. People start to use English unconsciously without associating with its parent varieties.

14. KACHRU’S CONCENTRIC CIRCLE Kachru (1985) proposes this concentric circle to illustrate the spread of English all over the world. Each circle ion this model represents the kind of function and acquisition in which English language is used. 1. Inner Circle (ENL) – refer to the parent countries of English. These countries are the colonizing nations in our history. E.g. Britain carried the language to Australia, New Zealand, and North America.

15. Outer Circle – belongs to the territories colonized by the parent countries of English. English in this circle, is considered to be a second nonnative language and is used for functions like education, law, and government transactions. Expanding Circle – considers English as a foreign language. This encompasses countries where English has no historical or governmental roles. Nevertheless, English is still used for very limited transactions and mostly for international communications only.

16. Kackru (1986) establishes the authority of the English language by looking into its ‘range and ‘depth. The range of English refers to the totality of functions which it has acquired as it spreads around the globe. Its depth refers to the amount of societal penetration it has achieved. For example, those countries that have moved from Inner to the other circle. Although difficult to assess, depth can be gleaned through the plucentricity of English and the development of varieties within an educated variety in the Outer Circle. Putting together the depth and range of English, the following are Kachru’s useful parameters of the language. The Power of English

17. Demographical and numerical: unprecedented spread across cultures and languages; on practically even continent… Functional: provided access to the most important scientific, technological and cross-cultural domains of knowledge and interaction. Attitudinal: symbolizes-certainly to a large group across cultures-one or more of the following: neutrality, liberalism, status and progressivism. Accessibility: provides international accessibility in the Outer Circle and international mobility across regions. Material: a tool for mobility, economic gains, and social status.