Multilingual Communication

Abstract

Verbal communication involving more than one language is widespread, both historically and geographically. This chapter provides an overview of multilingual 'regimes' of communication, covering different phenomena such as lingua franca communication or receptive multilingualism. The chapter discusses the consequences of multilingual language use as an institutionalized pattern for individual speakers' linguistic repertoires (e.g., learner varieties in a second language) as well as the consequences of individual multilingualism for collective patterns (e.g., language change due to language contact). Furthermore, research on the consequences that bi-and multilingualism can have on cognition is discussed, covering issues such as the potential impact of bilingualism on intelligence, on cognitive control, and the assumed influence of using a particular language on speakers' 'views of the world'. This latter topic is an important part in the ideological underpinnings of current language policies. Thus, in the concluding sections of the chapter, ideological and evaluative components of multilingual language policies are discussed.

Diaspora

“…studies in House & Rehbein 2004) and how they develop and negotiate languages (including lingua franca communication), social relationships, identities, and ideologies in the family, the community, and the workplace (e.g. Hornberger 1998;Knapp & Meierkord 2002;Gal 2006;Lanza 2007;Roberts 2007;Sharifian, Farzad & Palmer 2007). Comparisons across different migrant groups in terms of their migratory experiences and multilingual practices are occasionally made.…”

Linguistic Prejudices in Interviews: An Analysis of Research Projects in a University in Mexico

“…It also deserves to be dimensioned through the determination of its prevalence in local contexts and in the multilingual constellations that are drawn in the exploratory transit of current research projects (House & Rehbein, 2004).…”