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Languages as categories: Reframing the “one language or two” question in early bilingual development

Title:

Languages as categories: Reframing the “one language or two” question in early bilingual development

Byers-Heinlein, Krista (2014) Languages as categories: Reframing the “one language or two” question in early bilingual development. Language Learning, 64 (S2). pp. 184-201.

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Abstract

One of the most enduring questions in the field of bilingualism is whether bilingual infants and children initially have “one language system or two”. Research with adults indicates that while bilinguals do not represent their languages in two fully encapsulated language systems, they are able to functionally differentiate their languages. This paper proposes that bilinguals differentiate their languages insofar as they can treat elements of their languages as belonging to different categories. Several lines of research with bilingual adults and children are considered in the context of perceptual and conceptual language categories. The paper ends with a discussion of how language categories might emerge over the course of early bilingual development, and outlines directions for future research.

Divisions:Concordia University > Faculty of Arts and Science > Psychology
Item Type:Article
Refereed:Yes
Authors:Byers-Heinlein, Krista
Journal or Publication:Language Learning
Date:2014
ID Code:980274
Deposited By: KRISTA BYERS HEINLEIN
Deposited On:17 Aug 2015 15:20
Last Modified:18 Jan 2018 17:51
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