REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

PROVINCE OF PANGASINAN
PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY
LINGAYEN CAMPUS

DISCUSSION PAPER

Theories of Multilingualism

Language Programs and Policies in Multilingual Society

(EL 108)

Submitted By:
Tangan, Rain Jasmin A.
II-BSE ENGLISH A

Submitted To:
Dr. Presley V. De Vera
Instructor
 Theories of Multilingualism
Introduction:

Individuals show a great deal of variability in the ways they acquire and use different
languages, and can most we focus on the use of multilingualism in society, asking theoretical
questions such as the use of different languages and linguistic varieties in indexing social
identity. Multilingualism is the act of using, or promoting the use of multiple language, either
by an individual speaker or a community
speakers. It is advantageous for people wanting to participate in globalization and cultural
openness. The ability to speak multiple languages or the use of multiple languages is called
multilingualism. People who speak several languages are also called polyglots. There are two
theories in multilingualism, linguistic theory and affordance theory.

Multilingualism is the use of more than one language, either by an individual speaker or by a
group of speakers. People who speak several languages are also called polyglots. Multilingual
speakers have acquired and maintained at least one language during childhood, the so-called
first language updated July 25, 2019.

Researchers say multilingualism can fuel exports, increase salaries and help innovation.
Multilingualism is good for the economy, researchers have found. Countries that actively
nurture different languages reap a range of rewards, from more successful exports to a more
innovative workforce.

For society, the importance is in better understanding and mutual acceptance of people from
diverse backgrounds. Multilingualism allows societies to move beyond simple tolerance
toward a more peaceful coexistence and mutual respect. Multilingualism is a multifaceted
phenomenon shaped by linguistic, cognitive, social, and cultural dimensions. This paper
reviews and synthesizes several prominent theories to shed light on the intricate dynamics of
multilingual language use.

Two types of Multilingualism Theory

 Linguistic Theory was formed by Noam Chomsky who described language as having a
grammar that is largely independent of language use. It argues that language acquisition
is governed by universal, underlying grammatical rules that are common to all typically
developing humans. Across many different cultures, there are a number of linguistic
developmental similarities.

 Syntactic categories are divided into two type’s lexical categories, which are categories
with semantic content, such as verb, noun, adjective, adverb and preposition. Functional
categories, which represent grammatical properties. Typical functional categories are
made up of bundles of formal grammatical features such as tense, number, person,
gender, case, definiteness, and specificity.

 Linguistic theories, such as code-switching, language acquisition, and language transfer,

provide insights into the structural and cognitive aspects of multilingualism. This section
explores how individuals navigate and utilize their linguistic repertoires in various
contexts.

 Example: Aims to explain the nature of human language in terms of basic underlying
principles.
Examples:
 Syntax- study of sentence structure
 Phonology- study of sounds and sound systems
 Morphology- study of word structure
 Semantics- study of meaning

Article by MIT Press, 2014

 Aspects of the Theory of Syntax, 50th anniversary Edition. (n.d.). Google Books.
https://books.google.com.ph/books?
hl=en&lr=&id=ljFkBgAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PR5&dq=lexical+theories+by+noam+cho
msky+MIT+Press+2014&ots=-GmCXWJCnW&sig=eT-TUh4i3rKIlc9A1Ovq3VjIJ-
k&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=lexical%20theories%20by%20noam%20chomsky
%20MIT%20Press%202014&f=false

Lexical Categories (describe non linguistic things)

 Used to describe the categories of noun, verb, pronoun, adverb, and preposition

Article by Mark Baker, William Croft 2017

 Baker, M. C., & Croft, W. (2017). Lexical categories: legacy, lacuna, and opportunity for
functionalists and formalists. Annual Review of Linguistics, 3(1), 179–197.
https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-linguistics-011516-034134

Functional Categories (purely grammatical meanings, it is a grammatical glue that connects

syntax together)

Examples:
 Determiner (the, a, can)
 Conjunction (and, so, for)
 Complementizer (if, whether, because, unless)
 Auxiliary (be, can, had, are)

Affordance Theory the concept of affordances originating in Gibson's work (Gibson, 1977)
is gaining ground in multilingualism studies. In respect of teaching, learning or using
languages are still somewhat rare and tend to treat isolated aspects of multilingualism.

 This is despite the fact that the theory of affordances can actually provide a valuable,
supplementary, up-to-date framework within which a clearer, sharper description and
explication of the intriguing range of attributes of multilingual communities, educational
institutions and individuals, as well as teaching practices, become feasible.

 It’s important that not only researchers and practitioners (teachers, educators, parents,
community and political actors) but also language users and learners themselves\should
be aware of how to identify or, if necessary, design new affordances for language
acquisition and learning.

 Affordances Theory takes a socio-cognitive approach, focusing on the dynamic

interaction between individuals and their linguistic environment. It considers language as
a tool for communication, emphasizing the social and situational dimensions of
multilingual language use.

 All actions possibilities with an object based on users physical capabilities.

Examples:
“a chair” affords sitting on, standing on, throwing, etc.
“buttons” users knows that buttons can be pushed because they resemble the buttons that they
encounter and push in real life.
Article by Keith S. Jones, 2018
 Jones, K. S. (2018). What is an affordance? In Routledge eBooks (pp. 107–114).
https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203726655-1

References:

 Studocu. (n.d.). Theories of multilingualism - COLLEGE OF EDUCATION THEORIES

OF MULTILINGUALISM Introduction - Studocu.
https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/university-of-perpetual-help-system-jonelta/language-
programs-and-policies-in-multilingual-society/theories-of-multilingualism/33722841

 Hunt, E. (2001). Language and Thought: the Modern Whorfian Hypothesis. In Elsevier
eBooks (pp. 8320–8325).
https://doi.org/10.1016/b0-08-043076-7/01537-0

 Soriano, C. (2013). Linguistic theories of lexical meaning1. In Oxford University Press

eBooks (pp. 63–80). https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199592746.003.0005