What is Bilingualism?
Bilingualism is more common and complex than many people think. Whether you’re a parent raising a bilingual child, someone learning a second language, or just curious about what being bilingual really means, this blog post is here to explain the different types of bilingualism, unpack the common myths, and shed light on what bilingualism truly looks like in real life.
What exactly is bilingualism? Does it require one to be equally fluent in two languages? Is one not considered bilingual because they can understand a second language but struggle to speak it? Does a child need to use both languages frequently to be truly bilingual? These are common questions which this blog post seeks to answer. Bilingualism, at its core, is the ability to speak two languages, but there is also so much more to it. Let us break it down for you.
Types of Bilingualism
The acquisition of a second language comes in many forms. As such, we can try to explain bilingualism through identifying the different types and understanding their differences.
Simultaneous vs. Sequential/Successive Bilingualism:
- Simultaneous: when a child learns two languages at the same time, typically from birth.
- Sequential/Successive: when a child learns one language first then learns a second language.
Receptive vs. Productive Bilingualism:
- Receptive: when an individual is able to comprehend a second language but cannot produce and communicate in that language.
- Productive: when an individual is able to comprehend, produce, and communicate in a second language fluently.
Balanced vs. Dominant Bilingualism:
- Balanced: when an individual is about equally proficient and competent in both languages.
- Dominant: when an individual is more proficient and competent in one of the two languages.
It is useful to note that one type of bilingualism in each category is not mutually exclusive with one from another category. For instance, an individual can be both a simultaneous bilingual, a productive bilingual, and a dominant bilingual.
Common Misconceptions About Bilingualism
#1 Bilinguals are two monolinguals in one
Firstly, contrary to popular belief, bilingual children are not the sum of two monolingual children with equal competence, but rather showcase an integrated and unique mixture of both languages. In bilingual children, the two languages are usually used quite differently. For example, the child may use their first language with their friends and immediate family, but only use their second language in school as a result of their curriculum. As such, the bilingual child is rarely equally or completely fluent in both languages.
#2 Bilingual children will get confused by language mixing
A common misconception is that bilingual children will become confused if they are exposed to mixed language input. Some parents worry that if they mix languages when speaking to their child, the child will struggle to differentiate between the two languages and may start mixing them as well (a phenomenon known as code-switching). However, language mixing is not a sign of confusion or deficiency but rather an indication that the child is actively processing and integrating both languages (very typical of bilingual children!). Children are remarkably flexible when it comes to language learning.
Some parents adopt the one-parent-one-language (OPOL) strategy to maintain clear language boundaries and avoid language mixing, but may worry that any deviation from this approach will hinder their child’s language development. In reality, the key factor in language acquisition is exposure. If one parent is the primary caregiver and interacts with the child more frequently, the child is more likely to develop stronger competence in that parent’s language. Conversely, if the child has less exposure to the other language, they may take longer to develop proficiency in it. Rather than focusing on strict language separation, ensuring consistent and meaningful exposure to both languages is more important for bilingual development.
#3 Bilingualism will lead to language delays
The belief that bilingualism causes language delays is a common misconception once widely held by some parents and educators. This misunderstanding stems from the similar idea discussed earlier that bilingual children might become confused because their vocabulary is divided between two languages. However, language development is not split in half—rather, bilingual children are capable of learning both languages at full capacity. Even from infancy, children have the ability to differentiate languages, and bilingual infants possess basic mechanisms for keeping languages separate.
Just as children acquire language at different rates, their mastery of one or multiple languages can vary. Every child is unique, and the process of language acquisition differs from one child to another, regardless of whether they are learning one or two languages.
#4 Children pick up a second language best after they are already fluent in one language
Another common misconception is that children should first become fluent in one language before learning a second. This raises the question: Is simultaneous bilingualism or sequential bilingualism better? Some argue that a strong foundation in one language makes it easier to acquire another. However, children do not need to be fully competent in one language before learning a second. In fact, as long as biological and environmental factors are favourable, children can successfully acquire two languages simultaneously from an early age. Research suggests that early bilingual exposure leads to benefits such as more natural accents, a broader vocabulary, stronger grammatical abilities, and superior real-time language processing skills. Since the brain is especially adept at language learning in early childhood, introducing multiple languages early can be highly advantageous.
Benefits of Bilingualism
Bilingualism, away from its misconceptions, has been found to bring major advantages to child development. Research has found positive impacts of bilingualism on children’s overall cognitive development, boosting working memory, attention skills, and self-control, all of which are essential skills in providing a foundation for academic growth and success. Additionally, bilingualism renders some positive socio-emotional outcomes in children as well. Studies have found that being bilingual can enhance self-confidence, empathy, sociability, communication abilities, and foster a more open-minded and respectful attitude toward cultural diversity and speakers of other languages.
Conclusion
TL;DR: Bilingualism is a broad and flexible concept that looks different for every individual. Bilingualism isn’t just about being equally fluent in two languages—it comes in many forms. Common myths—such as bilingualism causing confusion or delays—do not accurately represent language learning in children. Research has also consistently found that bilingualism can greatly support cognitive development and enhance the socio-emotional skills in children. With the right support and exposure, children can thrive as bilinguals—confidently navigating and connecting across languages and cultures.
References
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Grobbel, M. (2017, January 27). Common Misconceptions About Bilingualism. Retrieved from https://blog.internations.org/blog/2017/01/27/common-misconceptions-about-bilingualism/
Guiberson, M. (2013). Bilingual myth-busters series language confusion in bilingual children. Perspectives on Communication Disorders and Sciences in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CLD) Populations, 20(1), 5-14.
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