Bilingualism and Biculturalism - Literature review Example

Bilingualism and Biculturalism Name Institution Bilingualism and Biculturalism Bilingualism is an act of embracing multiple languages. These may be by individual speakers or group of people. On normal occasion the multilingual speakers population is extremely higher in comparison to the monolingual speaking individuals among the diverse societies a cross the World. The current societies a cross the World seem to have impressed the social practices that is enhanced by Bilingualism. This phenomenon as governed by the increased needs of globalization and culture open interaction has seen starched needs for learning a second language (Mejia, 2002). According Mejia (2002), the internet is being used to easily access information. At individual level exposure to multiple languages is even getting more frequent. In turn this has triggered the hunger to acquire as many languages as one can deem useful for personal gains. Multilingual individuals not only express their thoughts through active communication, like speaking, writing or even use of sign they can also communicate passively through reading, listening or through perceiving. To be specific Bilingual is used to describe two comparable situations; in the case two languages are involved. In many occasion a good number of people first acquire and maintained at least one language during their early childhood. Normally referred to as mother tongue, this is basically acquired without any formal education as witnessed in other acquired language their after. The contemporary situation the identity of language learner involves the way in which language learners can understand the existing bonding relationship that create room for a social World. This may take time for this relationship to construct over a given time space allows the learner to possibly understand within a foreseeable future. The identity of the person involved in acquiring the language is normally theorized as a multiple, and is subject to be adjusted over the learning period (Mejia, 2002). There are cases were children are reported to have acquired two languages, referred to as simultaneous bilinguals. A number of cases concerning will see one language dominate the other. Most cases have been as a result of having bilingual parents in an environment dominated with monolingual, it could be possible were parents are monolingual but have raised their children in different locations in an environment supporting the bilingualism thus impacting the children socially through, increased interest of second language (Peter, 2010). Increased bilingualism has further claimed the wider appreciation of culture from different ethnic groups. Let as for instance look Canada, which established a commission in 1963 dubbed Bi and Bi Commission. It aimed at inquiring into a report that stated the existence of bilingualism and biculturalism within Canadian territory. This was purposefully to recommend in regard to possible steps to develop and improve on Canadian Confederation on basis of equal collaboration between the two founding races. This was to be accounted for by the contribution made through involved ethnic groups, in enriching the Canadian culture and establish measures safeguarding the established contributions. Through the established revolution, the rise of modern Quebec nationalism as the federation-wide French Canadian nationalism reduces support from the younger Francophone generations in the province. This was perceived Canada failure to establish equality of English and French languages within the government institutions (Momen, 1985). . In Netherlands it is said to have Friesland province associated with bilingual language speaking. The province population is estimated to be over 600,000 people, which is rated to have four per cent of the grant total population. The survey further indicates that a 94% of the population in the region can understand Friesland language compared to 74% of the province population that can claims to speak the Frisian language and about 17% can write using Frisian language. Dutch and Frisian is said to be related linguistically originating from a Germanic language, on the contrary majority of this Dutch speaking nation cannot understand the minority language i.e. Frisian (Peter, 2010). Many a times their reported language shift among the current societies. It is easily defined by the identified shift of from use of indigenous habitual language to that of other. In Hungary for instance, bilingualism is mainly influenced by several identified factors within the inhabitants. This may include social, historical, demographic or even linguistic. In Hungary there is minority community that is reportedly shifted from indigenous Romanian speaking language through influence from the other bigger group. There are complex incidents concerning examining the factors that may predict the likely adopted patterns of language. Occasionally maintaining or shift in language use over an estimated time period is not predictable. Since it remains impossible to enumerate exact list influencing factors, it is indeed unrealistic to fully describe the associated factor in inter play applicable factors over the entire community in question which is Romanian. There is more to be done since the community is not homogeneous, the group within Romanian society has difference within-group characteristics, this can be based on the proportional number of the Romanians (Tonnies, 1955). The southern region has had drastic changes concerning the bilingual education since the government introduced plurilingualism. The plan was strategically born out to realize European language policies regarding teaching and learning the languages. This was enabled through establishment of elementary school in the Andalusia region in Spain. To many European countries the existence of bilingual cultivated and schemed for the promotion of plurilingualism, which has learned a lot from the first experimental bilingual section developed in several schools in the region. The government support involving bilingual teaching schools in Andalusia region in 1998. It steadily magnified the appreciation of bilingual among the Spanish speaking communities in the region. The teaching content-based approach done either in French or Germany that was partly involved in teaching other subjects offered in the wider Andalusia Spain’s southern territory. The successful experience earned by students in the process creates room for even more ambitious scene, with estimated 400 schools ready and willing to be involved. This has increase the languages used in the region top the list being English (Peter, 2010). The government plan created 2003 on dubbed strategies for the second modernization of Andalucía was essentially affecting education concerning the bilingual speaking community. This document underlined language diversity as a source of richness and a highly valuable heritage among the community that has to be well embraced by all means (Max, 1977). Bilingual remains practiced a cross the World. Australia is not left behind, teaching programs that cater for children speaking languages other than English. The Australian government has continuously supported the initiative within its territories, thus upgrade bilingual education for the indigenous students. However, these have received little backing. It is reported that in 1970s the Australian Federal Government publicly declared its support, but by 1998 the Northern territory Government decided to shift about $3 million away from the bilingual program. English in this program was taught as the second language. The government was left with no option but to soften its position within the first year withdrawal of funds. Since then the bilingual programs were allowed to continue under the two-way, their after the bi-lingual education was revitalized at fifteen community educational Centre, among them being Alekerange, Angurungu and Borroola (Tania, 2007). The Lebanese Australian According to Jim (1997), Australian citizens or with permanent resident of Lebanese origin has created diversification. The community is a multi-religious society, including Christians and Muslims. The majority being Christian, Shia and Sunni are branches of Islam and other various dominations. Lebanon has been a source of migrants to Australia for over centuries; it is estimated that about 181,751 Australians have Lebanon origin. It can be through solely or in combination with another ancestry. Australia’s Lebanese population remains one of the oldest non-English speaking minorities in the country. Though currently many Lebanese people speak English, it’s considerably that this is smaller than other immigrants in Australia like the Greek Australians or Italian and the German Australians who particularly came in Australia at same time. By 1890s there was increased Lebanese immigrant to Australia. Part of the mass being South West Asia as classified, these group of the community came with a white Australia policy which involved denied non-white by Australian law. In 1920 the act was reversed allowing Lebanese entry following the outbreak of the Lebanese Civil War in 1975 as more seeking refugee in Australia. The Lebanese immigrants were normally poor, and for the first time this group were established to be Muslims. This kind of new migrants significantly changed the character of the already established Lebanese community in Australia (Tonnies, 1955). Sydney consists of 75% Lebanese-born immigrants. The Lebanese Muslim who includes the Shi’s and Sunnis denominations and Druze among others are now represented. They associated with Islam religious concepts and practices including the main five pillars of Islam, were had to practice Muslims obligation act of worship followed Islamic law. This touched on issues concerning virtues in every aspect of life and society. It is stated that the majority were Sunni estimated to be between80-90% and the Shia being approximately 20% of the total population. Bilingual and bicultural had its share of influence to how they interact, people of other culture and who spoke a different language that was non-Arabic. Same have gained interest of learning one or two different languages, with a bias acquiring English out of the other European languages (Momen, 1985). However, Arabic remains the most spoken and popular among the Islamic community. Much has been done within increased multi-lingual speakers among the community through, interaction with other language bilingual or even the multi-lingual’s across the nation. The government policy on free movement of the immigrant in the Australian region has further improved the practice within its societies socially (Peter, 2010). Communication remains basic and fundamental whenever two or more people meet. It is important to build on a wider linguistic command. Negotiations will only take place effectively if the parties involved have a good command of the common language. Bicultural is made effective through continued interaction that helps different individuals or groups adopt and relate and embrace other peoples’ culture. Reference Adler, M. (1977). 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