bilingualisme

Bilingualisme is the ability to use two languages in daily life. It encompasses varying levels of proficiency across languages and domains, and may involve speaking, reading, writing, and listening. The term is often used to describe individuals who acquire their languages through different pathways, as well as communities that use more than one language in social interaction, education, and media. Bilingualisme is distinct from multilingualisme, which refers to more than two languages.

Two common trajectories are simultaneous bilingualism, where a child is exposed to two languages from birth or early infancy, and successive (or sequential) bilingualism, where a second language is learned after establishing proficiency in the first. Proficiency can be balanced or dominant in one language, and may vary by context, such as home versus school.

Research on cognitive effects is mixed. Some studies report benefits in executive control, attention, and metalinguistic awareness, while others find small or inconsistent effects. Bilingualism can also affect literacy development, with outcomes dependent on factors such as language similarity, literacy instruction, and literacy in the home language. There is evidence that maintaining a strong heritage language can support social identity and cultural participation.

In education, bilingualism influences policies on language of instruction, curriculum design, and assessment. Effective programs often promote balanced development in the home language and the second language, involve family and community input, and provide professional support for teachers.

Challenges include language interference, gaps in formal proficiency, social attitudes toward minority languages, and the risk of language shift if use of a language declines in public settings. Measurement of bilingualism is complex, as proficiency can vary across speaking, listening, reading, and writing, and across domains.