ACTIVITY # 1

Name: Shaky Kaila L. Bondaug Block: A

Year Level: BSED English 1 Date: February 6 2023

LESSON 1: UNDERSTANDING MULTILINGUALISM

I. ACTIVATE

In the biblical literature, it is said that the world originally had “one shared language”
until the “Tower of Babel”. The story (from Genesis) began with the people of Babel
attempting to build a tower that would reach the heaven to prove that they can reach it on
their own. Such arrogance greatly displaced God that He deliberately created multiple
languages so that the people building the tower will not understand one another and it will be
impossible for them to finish the tower.
Imagine that you live in a world where there is only one language. What do you think
will happen? How will our world be different from what it is now? Will you consider it as a
“linguistic paradise?” Why? Why not?

Write your answer below:

If we live in a world where there is one language, Our communication problems will surely minimise . There
would be no language barrier .It would be easy for us to address our concerns and express our thoughts or
ideas since we are all using the same language Thus, we will be understood and there would be no
complications. And If that really happens, our world would become very different from what it is now. It
could not be considered as a Linguistic paradise anymore since all communities only share one language
which has greatly affect in our daily basis and in all aspects in life. We may experience loss of secrecy
because again, there will be no more languages/dialects that we can use as a means of code if we need
some privacy and secrecy among other group/individuals.Literature will become boring because there will be
no multiple interpretations. Many culture become irrelevant since we all know that language is something
that is inseparable with culture because by the language that a person has use we will be able to Identify
from which culture that certain person is. Also, there would be a lot of people that will lose their job which
fields are related to mastery of some languages.

II. ANALYZE

Whether the story of the Tower of Babel is true or not, the multiplicity of languages in the world
is definitely real. Also known as “linguistic diversity,” the multitude of languages that exist at present is
approximately at 6,000-7,000 languages worldwide (UNESCO, Education in a Multilingual World, 2003).
With the exception of Iceland – the only country that is legitimately identified as linguistically
homogenous or monolingual – multilingualism is a rule.

Multilingualism is a natural phenomenon. Cenoz (2013), on her article on “Defining

Multilingualism,” clearly presented the concept of multilingualism and its inevitability as a phenomenon.
Below are some of the key points presented in the article about multilingualism as a phenomenon. Work
on the process questions that follow.

Why is multilingualism a common phenomenon?

 Because there are more languages in the world (almost 7,000) than countries. It follows that a
significant number of speakers have more than one language;
 Because languages are “unevenly distributed”; speakers of the minority language groups need
to learn and use the language of the majority groups;
 Because we have immigrants who speak their first language and who need to acquire and speak
the language of the host (or new) country; and
 Because we learn additional languages, like English, for better social and economic
opportunities.

Multilingualism is considered as a Rule or a “common phenomenon.” What do you think prompts or

drives people to become multilinguals?

Write your answer below:

I do believe that most of us really dreams of becoming a multilingual or being able to effortlessly talk in many
languages for practicality, for the benefits and opportunities that we can enjoy. And I think these are the
biggest factors that drives people to become like one since the benefits/advantages are numerous.It expands
our minds and worldview. It opens up to new cultures and to the fruits of diversity. It also helps us boost our
confidence and increase self-esteem. And in a globalizing world, knowing a second or third language gives us
an advantage career-wise since we were be able to dig deeper or have comprehensive understanding of new
and some broad things that leads us to have better job prospects.Also It helps us to have an easier and more
enjoyable travel.

What does a multilingual mean to you at this point?

Note: Control + Click the link below to access the article.

C:\Users\noyno\Downloads\ARAL-JCenoz2013 - Copy.pdf

In the article, Cenoz (2013) also identified three major factors that have contributed to the
“visibility of multilingualism”: (1) globalization, (2) transnational mobility of the population, and (3) the
spread of new technologies (p.4).

Based on your understanding of your reading, how can these three factors strengthen or
promote multilingualism? Provide specific examples on how each factor has influenced the spread of
multilingualism.

Factors Provide a specific example on how the factor has influenced

the spread of multilingualism.
Globalization

Transnational Mobility of the

Population

Spread of New Technology

Cenoz (2013) also listed a number of definitions for multilingualism/multilingual individuals, and to
quote:

 “A multilingual individual is anyone who can communicate in more than one language, be it
active or passive “ (Li, 2008, p. 4)
 “Multilingualism is the ability of societies, institutions, groups and individuals to engage, on a
regular basis, with more than one language in their day-to-day lives” (European Commission,
2007, p. 6).
 Multilingualism is a very complex concept that it is important that you get a glimpse of the various
dimensions that constitute it.

Continue reading Cenoz’s (2013) article (p.5-7) and contrast the key concepts of multilingualism.
Complete the graphic organizer below.

MULTILINGUALISM

Individual Multilingualism vs. Receptive vs. Productive Bilingualism vs. Multilingualism

Societal Multilingualism Multilingualism

III. ABSTRACT

At this point, it must be clear to you that linguistic diversity is inherent in any society. Not
everyone, though, accepts such reality. Many researchers still lobby for the elimination of
multilingualism and linguistic diversity as they are deemed “unnecessary, messy, costly, and inefficient”
(Phillipson and Skutnabb-Kangas, 2009, p. 32).

In the same article of Phillipson and Skutnabb-Kangas, they comprehensively explained the need
for linguistic diversity in their book chapter, “Politics and Policies of Language and Language Teaching”
(p. 32-33). Here are some of the key points they presented on why linguistic diversity is needed:

 Languages are “libraries of the intangible heritage of humankind” (p. 32). Human knowledge,
history, and experiences are encoded and stored in languages.
 Languages reflect an individual and a community’s culture, tradition, and identity.
 Diversity in languages and cultures results in more ideas and creativity for communities to
collectively adapt to the changing world and find solutions to new issues that arise.
 The significance of linguistic diversity was compared with ecological diversity where diversity is
directly related to stability, which is important for long-term survival.

How about you? What are your thoughts? Why is linguistic diversity needed? Prepare to justify your
answer.

How Multilingual is the Philippines?

As an additional task before your final work for this lesson, you will have a quick look on the
linguistic diversity of the Philippines.

Go to https://www.ethnologue.com/ . Browse through the website and answer the questions that
follow.

1. What is the final count of established languages in the Philippines, as of date?

2. Identify at least 5 languages that are unfamiliar to you.

IV. APPLY

Read the article of Rodriguez’ (2014) “Should we even have a national language in the first place?”
and write a minimum of 400-word reaction essay for or against the arguments presented.
You may access the full article here:

Rodriguez, B. (2014, August 23) “Should we even have a national language in the first place?”
Retrieved September 15, 2020, from https://www.rappler.com/moveph/66958-filipino-national-
language

Criteria for Grading the Reaction Essay:

Content 15 points
Idea Organization 10 points
Grammar and Mechanics 5 points
TOTAL 30 points

Reaction Essay