{Photo by: edenpictures}
What exactly is the role of language? Why do some of us only speak one, while others manipulate multiple languages in their everyday lives? I have been dwelling on the notion of whether language is considered innate or whether individuals make strategic moves to learn or acquire language(s).
In the field of second language acquisition there exists the idea that language is either learned or acquired. For example, the first language a baby gets is considered acquired. Why? Well, because like many of us, when we speak in our native tongue it’s like we are driving a car in autopilot. It comes naturally to us. We don’t have to think about how we are going to structure our utterance(s) so that they are correctly formed. Language that is learned, on the other hand, is, many times, our second or third language. For those readers who have learned another language know exactly what I am talking about. Language that is learned is the language we struggle to communicate in when we are visiting a foreign country where it is spoken, for example.
Another interesting topic in regard to the role language plays and whether it is innate relates to what happens in foreign language schools. For instance, if we believe that language is innate then most of the instruction would provide students with nearly authentic settings where they could simply practice using the target language. Although, I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that most people probably believe language is something we learn, hence, the common way to teach our children (and adults) another language is via explicit instruction that involves grammatical points and contrived settings.
As I think about the way I am exposing my bebita to three languages I find myself contemplating whether she is actually learning or acquiring her three languages. To a large degree, the different approaches are really out of my control, which leads me to something I keep coming back to: context. Where we live, who we interact with, who we are, are quite frankly, inherited characteristics. These characteristics are part of the beautiful nuances that make up our reality, which is the context where language is learned or acquired.
So, for now, I am very proud to say that in French Sabrina knows how to say au revoir and Petite Pim (Pe’pim, to be exact), she learned those words via French videos. In Spanish, she has acquired a few words to her vocabulary, which include: mama, papa, más, uvas, and ayuda. In addition to acquiring a few words in Spanish, she has also acquired some sign language. She knows the signs for ayuda, acabe, más, and lechita. Lastly, her acquired English words include: bye-bye and tickle-tickle. Then there are the words she understands the meaning of, but cannot say or sign in any language, YET.
How are you exposing your children to other languages? Do you consider them contexts that will help them learn or acquire another language?
I believe my children are are acquiring both English and Spanish simultaneously using OPOL. I only speak Spanish to them always and their Dad speaks English, plus we live in the USA and they went to an English-speaking preschool. Now they are in an Immersion school, but since not all of the other kids are bilingual, my kids still end up communicating a lot in English at school. At least the teachers only speak Spanish to them as that is the language of the classroom.
I agree that context has a big influence and that is one reason I started my Bilingual Tots Meetup, so that we would have a Spanish speaking environment with friends doing fun stuff.
Hi Ana,
That is great that your kids got into an immersion school! My baby goes 2 mornings a week to a Spanish immersion school. My husband and I speak in Spanish to her, BUT speak to each other in English. It’s been really hard to change the language we have been using with one another since the day we met. I think she will still end up bilingual though AND yea I think she will end up speaking a lot of English too because we live in the US—its the language of power.
Great post! I think it is time to reflect on the practices that we use to introduce our children to languages. Depending on what we do, we may or may not get where we intended to.
Here is a blog I wrote on the topic of flashcards/flashcard-style practices: “Are You Raising a Bilingual Genius or a Bilingual Dummy?”
http://www.analomba.com/anas-blog/are-you-raising-a-bilingual-genius-or-a-bilingual-dummy/
I’d love to hear your comments.
Best,
Ana Lomba
Thanks, Ana! They consistency it key—we shall see. Thanks for sharing your post. Ill have to go check it out
Interesting post and I do agree there has been that distinction made between learning and acquiring languages however I believe it is a confusing one. The reality is that babies are born with VERY few instincts like animals who are born with quite a few. Instincts preclude the need to learn that behaviour..so really it is like embedded learning. Something as complex as language could never be regarded as an instinct I believe. What we as humans do have is an AMAZING in built mechanism designed to learn. Babies cannot talk about their experiences or reflect on them as we do, but it does not mean they are not learning in a very similar way to how we are.
) and not interfere with who they are becoming, more than we need to. And they will learn everything they need to for their journey in this life.
Just look at a baby and you will see an amazing being, living in pure awareness, untrammelled by the beliefs, the doubts the shoulds that we as adult sometimes labour under. Awareness is at the heart of learning. Without it we can learn nothing. Of course there are other elements to learning…but that is where it starts for babies. With adults the beginning is usually with need or desire which then triggers our awareness, etc.
As far as babies are concerned, the best thing we can do is love them ( is there an option!
Oh yes as far as bilingualism is concerned. If you can adopt this following suggestion, I think it gives the best possible chance for strength in 2 languages to develop. have alternate days where wither 1 language or the other is used. On the day of L1, only that is is used – using L2 too will actually weaken the development of L1 and encourages translation. Translation being a tool that has its uses but not for the development of bilingualism. Infants show us that we are able to learn languages without translation and for that matter, explanation. Best not interfere with the enormous learning powers kids have. Hope that helps. Interested to hear how you go with it, if you try it.