The Linguistic Society of America (LSA) focuses on the scientific study of language (sounds, grammar, meaning, and much more). This year, the LSA published an article on bilingualism and what it means to speak two or more languages.
In the article, it states that "people may become bilingual either by acquiring two languages at the same time in Bilingualismchildhood or by learning a second language sometime after acquiring their first language."
In the same section, it also explains that "a young child who is regularly exposed to two languages from an early age will most likely become a fluent native speaker of both languages," but that the exposure "must involve interaction."
The article also points to the difficulty of learning another language out of the 'critical period,' which lasts from birth until puberty. It says that "the older you get, the harder it is to learn to speak a new language as well as a native speaker."
Not only does the LSA recognize that "in an increasingly global marketplace, it's an advantage for anyone to know more than one language." They also point out that being bilingual "encourages cross-cultural awareness and understanding."
Perhaps the most important aspect of knowing a second, third or fourth language is that "it benifits a child's cognitive development."
For both an individual and for the society, bilingualism is very advantageous!
Source: Bilingualism by Betty Birner
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