Reflections On Language Acquisition and Bilingualism - A Study

International Journal of Management and Applied Science, ISSN: 2394-7926 Volume-3, Issue-8, Aug.
-2017
http://iraj.in
REFLECTIONS ON LANGUAGE ACQUISITION AND
BILINGUALISM – A STUDY
NAGAKALA NANJANGUD GOPALKRISHNA
Department of English- IAU- KSA

Email- Kalul15@gmail.com
Abstract - In teaching –learning process, a famous writer has said that; mind grows by what it feeds, be it in an infant,
student or an adult. This could be in cognitive or biological learning. This might be even in L1 or L2 learning.The proposed
paper is based on the sub- theme - Language acquisition and bilingual Innovations. The main intention is to reflect on
aspects of language acquiescing, two language learning (curriculum and communication) purposes, and new researches.
Discussions on First Language Acquisition & Second Language Acquisition (in brief), facts of Acquisition as a mental and
behavioural process will be done.Furthermore, the focus is on importance of learning- is it critical or not. Theoretically
understanding bilingualism as multi-faced and multi- thinking process. Man’s thinking is determined by the language he
knows, and he has to explore various means to study other languages, too. The proposed paper is to find out the result of
bilingualism especially Arabic and English where the former is right branched and the latter is left branched. In countries
where there is two or three curriculum, what is the impact on learners? The whole intention is to encourage students to have
command over two languages with ease.
I. INTRODUCTION comprises both intuition and subconscious learning;

and the learner is active\ interactive.Learning, as
“Being able to talk one language is humane. Being opposed to acquisition, is standardly held to involve
able to tolerate more than one language is both explicit and implicit psychological processes:
civilization” when we read this statement, it leads to (D.Anderson )Language acquisition is an elaborate
some thinking in our minds. A common man may not and distinctive human quality for which there isn’t
find it very special, but a linguist or linguist scientist any theory that is able to completely explain how
may have a different answer. In this world there are language is attained. However, most of the concepts
so many languages and dialects. Some are exposed to and theories which we have clarified proves that how
only one language and probably more than one native languages are acquired. They go back to the
dialect; some others might be exposed to more than approaches that are put forward by researchers of
one language and many dialects, too. This paper is of yester years like Skinner, Chomsky, etc.
three parts a) B.F.Skinner - his theory is Behaviourist; the
Part one - Language Acquisition and Language central idea is Children imitate adults. Their
Learning correct utterances are reinforced when they get
Part two- Definition and analysis of Bilingualism what they want or are praised
Innovations b) A.N.Chomsky- his theory is Innateness; A child's
Part three- Reflections on own experiences brain contains special language-learning
Language Acquisition and Language Learning mechanisms at birth
Linguists make a significant distinction between Most of the modern theorists of today are integrating
language learning and language acquiring, that is L1 aspects of these theories into their various findings.
and L2. As we all aware of this, children acquire L1 Some researchers have proposed theories that
without any learning process rather subconsciously, emphasize the importance of both nature and nurture
they do not care for grammatical structures or rules. in language acquisition. These theorists believe that
On the other hand, they learn a language consciously humans do have an innate capacity for acquiring the
and with grammatical rules and structures.“How does rules of language. However, they believe that
an individual learn something when the topic is new children develop language skills through interaction
to that person?” The answer to this is – “That with others rather than acquire the knowledge
knowledge is present from their birth and information automatically.Definition and analysis of Bilingualism
learned by an individual is merely a recollection of Innovations : Bilingualism is commonly defined as
something the soul has already learned previously the use of at least two languages by an individual
which is called the ‘theory of recollection’. (ASHA, 2004). It is a fluctuating system in children
‘"Acquisition requires meaningful interaction in the and adults whereby use of and proficiency in two
target language - natural communication - in which languages may change depending on the
speakers are concerned not with the form of their opportunities to use the languages and exposure to
utterances but with the messages they are conveying other users of the languages. It is a dynamic and fluid
and understanding." (Stephen Krashen)So, LA is process across a number of domains, including
referred to the process of natural taking in, which experience, tasks, topics, and time.Bloomfield’s
Reflections on Language Acquisition and Bilingualism – A study
67
International Journal of Management and Applied Science, ISSN: 2394-7926 Volume-3, Issue-8, Aug.-2017
http://iraj.in
(1933): the mastery of two or more languages at the students in monolingual education system. To
native-like level.Andersson and Boyer (1978): the use reflect on these, some examples are mentioned here.
of two languages for curricular instruction in non- When the learner has a problem using the L2 while
language subjects.In recent years, many researchers thinking L1 (Arabic and English)
are carrying out their research in Bilingualism Example 1: Should we study Foreign Securities?
Innovations which is on the basis of bilingual Example 2: “I want to know what a doctor is the test
education from primary school level to the field of method means you answer an external piece and I
international finance. The focus is on duly on........ Agheraha true..”When the students start to learn to or
1. Simultaneous bilingualism Occurs when a young languages at the same time, language skill and
child has had significant and meaningful cognitive skill, both go hand in hand. If not, there
exposure to two languages from birth. Ideally, would pathetic situation in the process of learning.
the child will have equal, quality experiences More observations and innovations have to be carried
with both languages. out. To develop the L1 & L2 , rich language
2. Sequential bilingualism occurs when an academic, social, and personal situations must be
individual has had significant and meaningful provided in a relevant and meaningful way..
exposure to a second language, usually after the
age of 3 and after the first language is well CONCLUSION
established. These second language learners are
referred to as "English language learners" in U.S. Acquiring bilingualism is highly desired yet quite
schools. challenging. An effort to help comprehend aspects of
3. Balanced bilingualism: when two languages are language acquiescing (FLA & SLA), two languages
used at more or less the same level. learning purposes, and understanding of new
4. BICS (basic interpersonal communicative skills): researches can help immensely and create a win - win
the ability to maintain a simple conversation, for situation for teachers and students alike.
example in a shop or in the street. It is developed
with contextual cues (including gestures) and REFERENCES
often occurs in face-to-face situations (Cummins,
1980). American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
(2004). Knowledge and Skills Needed by Speech-Language
5. CALP (Cognitive/academic language Pathologists and Audiologists to Provide Culturally and
proficiency): the ability to cope with study Linguistically Appropriate Services [Knowledge and Skills].
programmes in academic contexts. It is Available from www.asha.org/policy.
developed in reduced contexts (i.e. the
www.everythingesl.net/inservices/language_acquisiti_vs_language
classroom, conferences, seminars, etc.) _02033.php
(Cummins, 1980). The natural approach: Language acquisition in the … - Krashen -
Cited by 5189
… on the acquisition of English as a second language - Johnson -
II. REFLECTIONS ON OWN EXPERIENCES Cited by 2878
… handbook on bilingualism & second language learning … -
The general outcome or feedback is students from Genesee - Cited by 836
bilingual education system are performing better than http://www.everythingesl.net/
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International Journal of Management and Applied Science, ISSN: 2394-7926 Volume-3, Issue-8, Aug.

Department of English- IAU- KSA

I. INTRODUCTION comprises both intuition and subconscious learning;

Reflections on Language Acquisition and Bilingualism – A study

Reflections on Language Acquisition and Bilingualism – A study

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