The previous post attempted to define bilinguality and bilingualism. However, one reader stated what was posted was incorrect. The presenter was contacted and here is clarification:
"Bilinguality is the situation in which a person uses more than one language. Bilingualism is the situation in which more than one language is used in an institution or in a country (though not necessarily by the same people).
So the concepts are not about oppression, but simply describe two different ways to think about bilingualism."--Robert E. Johnson, Professor, Department of Linguistics, Gallaudet University.
Professor Johnson responded that bilingualism is NOT part of the negative "isms" in society.
Thank you to the reader who caught this discrepancy. KISinterpretingservices.blogspot would especially like to express gratitude to Professor Johnson for taking the time to clarify matters.
***KISIS***
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Deaf Bilingual Education--Bilinguality vs Bilingualism
At Gallaudet, February 4, 2009, Mr Robert Johnson presented research that explored bilinguality, bilingualism, and Deaf education. Please note that this blog is not exact representation and is just this attender's understanding.
Mr. Johnson presented that bilinguality focuses on a person's ability to use two languages; whereas, bilingualism, is an institutional suppression (or non recognition) of one's native language and an institutional dominance of the majority language. (How many of us know of individuals who may use Spanish fluently but because of being in an English-dominant environment, suppress their Spanish)? Seeminly bilingualism is yet another negative "ism" in society.
Then Robert Johnson discussed the difference of a minority bilingual and an elite bilingual. Society negatively views a Deaf person whose primary language is ASL with English as a secondary language as a minority bilingual. Whereas, society views positively a non Deaf (hearing) person whose primary language is English but may have acquired or learned American Sign Language as a secondary language. This is the elite bilingual.
When it comes to communication and language access, there is now pressure to attend to the needs of immigrants here in America rather than just letting them sink or swim. This requires a paradigm switch from the "ethical" dialogue to education; specifically "Communication Education".
The reason there needs to be a switch, Mr. Johnson argues, is that with "ethical" dialogue all one needs to do to throw a monkey wrench into the mix is to say, "Well, I disagree with your ethics," and well, that's the end of the issue. Efforts to overcome barriers would have come to a screeching halt. Therefore, "Communication Education" is the counter.
VERY INTERESTING!!!!!!!
What do you think? Let us know by commenting here: kisinterpretingservices.blogspot.com.
If you are interested in obtaining Sign Language Services, please send a text message to 301 213 8653.
***KISIS***
Mr. Johnson presented that bilinguality focuses on a person's ability to use two languages; whereas, bilingualism, is an institutional suppression (or non recognition) of one's native language and an institutional dominance of the majority language. (How many of us know of individuals who may use Spanish fluently but because of being in an English-dominant environment, suppress their Spanish)? Seeminly bilingualism is yet another negative "ism" in society.
Then Robert Johnson discussed the difference of a minority bilingual and an elite bilingual. Society negatively views a Deaf person whose primary language is ASL with English as a secondary language as a minority bilingual. Whereas, society views positively a non Deaf (hearing) person whose primary language is English but may have acquired or learned American Sign Language as a secondary language. This is the elite bilingual.
When it comes to communication and language access, there is now pressure to attend to the needs of immigrants here in America rather than just letting them sink or swim. This requires a paradigm switch from the "ethical" dialogue to education; specifically "Communication Education".
The reason there needs to be a switch, Mr. Johnson argues, is that with "ethical" dialogue all one needs to do to throw a monkey wrench into the mix is to say, "Well, I disagree with your ethics," and well, that's the end of the issue. Efforts to overcome barriers would have come to a screeching halt. Therefore, "Communication Education" is the counter.
VERY INTERESTING!!!!!!!
What do you think? Let us know by commenting here: kisinterpretingservices.blogspot.com.
If you are interested in obtaining Sign Language Services, please send a text message to 301 213 8653.
***KISIS***
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