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Multilingualism

Language contact

 
 
There is a certain phenomenon that is admitted by most of linguists called code switching. It is the process of swallowing between languages. It happens when a person substitutes the phrases of his own language with phrases from a co-existing language.

There is a certain phenomenon that is admitted by most of linguists called code switching. It is the process of swallowing between languages. It happens when a person substitutes the phrases of his own language with phrases from a co-existing language.

There exists a concept of communicate competence that defines the level of proficiency this or that person has in other (non-mother-tongue) languages. There are two types of communicate competence that is presently distinguished by modern linguists.

Prospective multilingualism bearers

People residing in this or that area under certain circumstances have different chances to become a multilingualism bearer. Nevertheless, region is not the only factor influencing on the development of multilingualism.

There are several categories of speakers that demonstrate the strong tendency of becoming multilingual speakers.

The first group unites people that express considerable interest towards other or most often foreign languages. Normally, these persons have higher linguistic property of acquiring "other" languages and IQ level than an ordinary human.

The second groups comprises of people that master languages for concrete practical purposes that may include getting career-promoted, migrating to another country and so on. At that rate, they go at great lengths to pick up a selected language within nearest time period using all accessible resources that most come Internet, films, books and so forth.

The third group embraces immigrants/expatriates and their offsprings. However, a great deal depends on the family atmosphere (the mother tongue is practiced) and how powerful a new language is.

The fourth group incorporates citizens in border territories. It is a usual situation when bordering languages enjoy approximately equal popularity and speakers from both sides may easily communicate in both of them. However, it is more normal when one language is in greater request than another and dominates over it.

The last group is composed of children who either have parents who speak different languages or inhabit in language-rich communions where both (or more) languages are treated in the same way respectfully and used on the permanent basis.

Language contact and change as a result usually takes place between minority and majority languages. It is the field of research connected with code switching and code mixing. The studies investigate the elements one language get completely integrated in elements of the other one (complete switch) and partially (partial switch).