Speaking more than one language has a profound impact on both the mind and the brain. But how does the multilingual brain manage a native language as well as a non-native language, specifically... Show moreSpeaking more than one language has a profound impact on both the mind and the brain. But how does the multilingual brain manage a native language as well as a non-native language, specifically when the non-native language was acquired later in development? In this thesis, we aimed to characterise the multilingual experience of late language learners in three ways. First, we examined how the cross-linguistic influence (CLI) between the native language and the non-native language influenced non-native comprehension and production. Second, we compared different multilingual populations to quantify the impact of language similarity on CLI and non-native comprehension and production. Third, we examined whether language similarity played a modulating role beyond language processing in terms of domain-general inhibitory control. These are critical issues because they speak directly to the notion of how the native language and the non-native language co-exist in the brain. Further, they help us characterise the functional organisation of these languages in the multilingual brain. Across several studies, we systematically explored these three issues by using several experimental paradigms and a combination of behavioural and electroencephalographic measures. Subsequently, we pushed the theoretical boundaries of the issues in question and contributed novel evidence to this area of research. Show less
This chapter examines specifics of African contexts relevant for teaching in multilingual and multicultural environments. It starts with basics, pointing to a toxic cocktail of ideas that may have... Show moreThis chapter examines specifics of African contexts relevant for teaching in multilingual and multicultural environments. It starts with basics, pointing to a toxic cocktail of ideas that may have value in the North, but is counterproductive in Africa. Thus, it examines ideas of ‘language’ as applied to Africa proposing to distinguish between discerned and designed languages. If participation in education increases a tran-sition to using a limited number of designed languages as medium of instruction will become necessary and possible. This will overcome the current diglossic situation dominated by former colonial languages. On culture, the chapter proposes a non-essentialist definition. Recent research shows that the old ‘tribal’ categories have lost their meaning in many (though not all) parts of Africa. An appreciation is needed of the new cultural traditions that are emerging on the continent. Understanding Africa’s specificity will lead to a new research agenda and to new ideas on what teaching and learning in Africa’s multilingual and multicultural environments mean. Show less
The article is a plea for sustaining the indigenous languages of Tanzania and Kenya. These languages display an impressive richness in diversity which is diminishing currently. It is important to... Show moreThe article is a plea for sustaining the indigenous languages of Tanzania and Kenya. These languages display an impressive richness in diversity which is diminishing currently. It is important to appreciate the value of the current linguistic diversity and that of multilingualism. The article is based on a presentation at a conferenceof the Languages of Tanzania project and hence is biased towards the Tanzanian situation. I argue that the success of the language policy of promoting Kiswahili now opens the ways to support the local languagesthat pose no threat to national unity. Given that this article is a plea and one making ample use of my personal experiences of linguistic research in Tanzania and Kenya the style is more personal and lacks the usual detachment of academic papers. Show less
In the sixteenth century, thousands of migrants moved away from the Southern Low Countries, the region most affected by the upheavals related to the Dutch Revolt. As their area of origin was marked... Show moreIn the sixteenth century, thousands of migrants moved away from the Southern Low Countries, the region most affected by the upheavals related to the Dutch Revolt. As their area of origin was marked by multilingualism, many of these migrants were used to navigating between Latin, Dutch, and French, and were bi- or multilingual themselves. A new project investigates how they exploited their linguistic capacities as a commodity, a form of immaterial starting capital in their new places of residence: while some left everything behind, they brought their language skills with them. The project concentrates on the three regions that welcomed the most migrants from the Southern Low Countries: the British Isles, Germany, and the Northern Low Countries. Each of these regions had its own linguistic marketplace, in which certain languages were valued more than others. Especially the French tongue, that was spoken as a second language by many migrants whose mother tongue was Dutch, could be useful for its professional and social value. By analysing the strategic language choices of a selection of migrants, this project aims to reveal how multilingualism was part of their coping mechanism, helping to rebuild their lives abroad. Show less
Von Grebmer Zu Wolfsthurn, S.; Pablos Robles, L.; Schiller, N.O. 2021
This interdisciplinary paper shows that investigating community language beliefs, as a pillar of language policy research, can be enriched by the principles of theory of mind. The case study is... Show moreThis interdisciplinary paper shows that investigating community language beliefs, as a pillar of language policy research, can be enriched by the principles of theory of mind. The case study is Malaysia where ethnonationalist law and policy elevates the language and culture of the Muslim Malay majority above those of citizens of Chinese and Indian ethnicity, but where a seismic political shift is underway. The re-election of Dr Mahathir Mohammad as prime minister in May 2018, but now standing for Pakatan Harapan, broke decades of rule by the traditionalist United Malays National Organisation. Promises are being made to bring an end to Malaysia’s race-based politics and foster equality. The situation is ripe for producing contentious and politically-embedded talk in the community about Malaysia’s linguistic diversity and ethnonationalist language policy. In that context, this paper analyses how youths from different ethnic groups feel about Malaysia’s societal multilingualism. However, the innovation is in then soliciting and analysing the hypotheses of these same youths about how their own heritage languages, as well as societal multilingualism and language policy, are perceived by the other ethnic groups. As Malaysia embarks on political change, exploring beliefs in these interethnic multidirectional terms reveals fissures and alignments between beliefs that are articulated by different youths and the beliefs that are attributed to them. This methodological approach can support language policy processes and research by more richly investigating language beliefs and ideological positioning from multidirectional vantage points. Show less
AThEME is a collaborative research project studying multilingualism in Europe. This 5-year research project was set up with funding from the European Commission, and it runs from March 2014 until... Show moreAThEME is a collaborative research project studying multilingualism in Europe. This 5-year research project was set up with funding from the European Commission, and it runs from March 2014 until March 2019. The main objectives of the project are: (1) to investigate cognitive, linguistic and sociological issues in multilingual Europe, (2) to assess existing public policies and practices within the areas of education and health as well as their impact on multilingualism and (3) to contribute to evidence-based policy making. AThEME uses a range of research methodology and aims to raise awareness of multilingualism among policy makers, health professionals, academics and educators. Show less
This book describes the end result of a research in Laut_m between 2010 and 2014, as part of a research project on Adult Literacy Education in Timor-Leste. This book focuses on the Fataluku... Show moreThis book describes the end result of a research in Laut_m between 2010 and 2014, as part of a research project on Adult Literacy Education in Timor-Leste. This book focuses on the Fataluku language that is spoken in Laut_m District, specifically in the sub districts of Lospalos and Tutuala. Fataluku is a non-Austronesian language that can be considered endangered, because most speakers of younger generations prefer Tetum of Fataluku. By means of a study on the national language policy, Laut_m__s linguistic landscape, Fataluku language attitudes and uses, and through a case study on adult literacy classes, this book discusses the change of an endangered unwritten language into a language that is written. This book shows that the planned education language policy does not yet apply correctly in Laut_m. Although the national language policy anticipates Portuguese and Tetum to become the languages of teaching, it turns out that Fataluku is till being used with that particular function in education. Show less
