Bilinguality and Bilingualism

Presents state-of-the-art knowledge about languages in contact from individual bilingualism (or bilinguality) to societal bilingualism.

Josiane F. Hamers (Author), Michel H. A. Blanc (Author)

9780521640497, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 17 February 2000

484 pages, 3 tables
23.6 x 15.8 x 3.5 cm, 0.88 kg

'… the material covered is very impressive. there is no book like it. No single-author work has the same breadth, and multiple-author books in the field do not have the same integrative potential.' Language in Society

This updated and revised edition of Hamers and Blanc's successful textbook presents state-of-the-art knowledge about languages in contact from individual bilingualism (or bilinguality) to societal bilingualism. It is both multi- and interdisciplinary in approach, and analyses bilingualism at individual, interpersonal, and societal levels. Linguistic, cognitive and sociocultural aspects of bilingual development are explored, as are problems such as bilingual memory and polyglot aphasia. Hamers and Blanc analyse the relationship between culture, identity, and language behaviour in multicultural settings, as well as the communication strategies in interpersonal and intergroup relations. They also propose theoretical models of language processing and development, which are then applied to bilingual behaviour. Other topics reviewed include language shift, pidgins and creoles, language planning and bilingual education. This book will be invaluable to students, teachers and scholars interested in languages in contact in a range of disciplines including psycholinguistics, linguistics, the social sciences, education and language planning.

Foreword to the second edition
Preface
Introduction
1. Definitions and guiding principles
2. Dimensions and measurement of bilinguality and bilingualism
3. The ontogenesis of bilinguality
4. Bilinguality: cognitive development and the sociocultural context
5. The social and psychological foundations of bilinguality
6. Bilinguality: neuropsychological foundations
7. Information processing in the bilingual
8. Social psychological aspects of bilinguality: culture and identity
9. Social psychological aspects of bilinguality: intercultural communication
10. Societal bilingualism, intergroup relations and sociolinguistic variations
11. Bilingual education
Conclusion
Notes
Glossary
References
Subject index
Author index.

Subject Areas: Bilingualism & multilingualism [CFDM]