In the U.S., knowing and speaking only one language is often considered the norm, while people and societies who regularly use two or more languages are seen as special or exotic. Yet if we look at how language is used worldwide, including here in Hawai‘i, bi- and multilingualism are just as common as monolingualism. This course will introduce you to bi-/multilingualism both as a phenomenon at the level of society and as a characteristic of individual speakers. We will look at popular beliefs and recent media reports about bilingualism, and use these as stepping stones for a closer examination of the research (and sometimes the absence thereof) that underlies them.
Required text:
Paradis, J., Genesee, F., & Crago, M. (2021). Dual Language Development and Disorders (3rd Edition). Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes.