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Bilingual language learner

Good afternoon, everyone. The topic I’m going to present is “the bilingual language learner”.
First of all, let me give a definition of “bilingual” Do not confuse “bilingual language learner” with “ bilingual”. Maybe a bilingual language learner could be a bilingual, but it is not necessary. According to Mackey’s definition, bilingualism means “simply the alternate use of two or more languages”. A bilingual has the ability to speak two different languages but he has not to be a language learner. In the following, I am going to focus on “the bilingual learner”.
Generally, a bilingual learner might face a big challenge. A challenge we call “ the risk of code-switching”.
The term ‘code’ refers not only to different languages, but also to a variety of social relations, rights at the pragmatic level, even at the switch of culture collision.

Obviously, the switching based on “borrowing” which means substituting an element from one language to another.
Types of borrowing include borrowing of lexis, and borrowing of intonation. The borrowing of lexis may also affect syntax, phonology, morphology and semantics.
I have one example that I heard from a French learner. He told me when he says “thank you” to an English speaker, he didn’t know why he was responded with “ You’re welcome”, obviously, he translated it as “tu es bienvenu.” in French, which is the result of semantic confusion between words with similar forms.
Another example is the English word “library”. The English word “library” in French means “bibliothèque”, but most of the French learners will translate it into “librairie” unconsciously for the spelling is so alike.
How can a learner avoid these kinds of mistakes? The answer is No Borrowing, which means when we learn a foreign language, like English, we only use the English-English dictionary instead of English-French one. Because the English-English dictionary helps us to understand exactly how the words pronounce and tell us its correct meaning. And also we have to do is read all the example sentences well and see how they use the word in what situation, under what circumstance. However, we all know that it is quite easy to say but completely practicing it is another thing.



And then I am going to say is “ a challenge of the code-switching at the pragmatic level” For the language evolves with human being and its society , a bilingual language learner develops his identity with his progressing ability in his second language .
Although a bilingual language learner has recognized another way logical of thinking and another society existed, he often mix using language unconsciously in any particular speech exchange. In a real situation, in a dialogue, selection of terms, of language is so spontaneous that a speaker is almost unaware of what he is uttering. Therefore, hardly does he use a “pure” language in any communication, even in his behavior.
Subsequently, the switch of culture collision happens. I have heard many examples from Asian friends. They think it’s difficult to communicate with Asian monolingual. WHY?
When communicating, Asian people are used to “beating around the bush”, they don’t say what they want to say openly, directly. Because the indirect way of communication in Asia is usually regarded as “more polite” than going to point out which is western way of communication.

Despite of the big challenge for a bilingual language learner, he still has many advantages. The training of brain will make him more brilliant. His broad vision helps him to recognize his own culture. In addition, language competence is a skill with market value.
So, my conclusion is “never give up learning a foreign language !”

Thanks for your attention, that’s all my presentation !!!