Multilingualism Flashcards
What is active knowledge?
Knowledge of a linguistic variety that includes the ability to produce and use that variety, and not only understand it
What is bilingualism?
The ability to use two or more languages sufficiently to carry on a limited casual conversation (Myers-Scotton 2006: 44)
What is code mixing?
Generally refers to alternations between varieties, or codes, within a clause or phrase; often elicits more strongly negative evaluations than alternations across clauses.
What is code switching?
The alternation between varieties, or codes, across sentences or clause boundaries; sometimes also used as a cover term including code mixing as well
What is the definition of diglossia?
Classically defined as a situation where two closely related languages are used in a speech community: one for High (H) functions (e.g., church, newspapers) and one for Low (L) functions (e.g., in the home, or market). The situation is supposed to be relatively stable and the languages/varieties remain distinct. Now often extended to refer to any two languages (even typologically unrelated ones) that have this kind of social and functional distribution.
What is a domain?
The social and physical setting in which speakers find themselves
What is language choice?
The study of who speaks what language to whom and when in those speech communities that are characterised by widespread and relatively stable multilingualism
What is the definition of lingua franca?
A shared language of communication used by people whose native languages are different
What is a national language?
A linguistic variety that has been chosen by a nation as the language expressing or representing national identity
What is an official language?
A linguistic variety that has been designated as the medium for all official, government business. There is usually a right to have all legal and public services provided in such a language, and an obligation on state or regional authorities to satisfy this right.
What is passive knowledge?
The ability to understand, but not speak, a language
