Unit 1

M U LT I L I N G U A L I S M
AND LANGUAGE
POLICY
K A RY L L U M A L I & N O R E E N A LT H E A A B E N I R

ENG 105
BSED-ENG (1ST YR)
MULTILINGUALISM AND
LANGUAGE POLICY

Globalization has immensely bolstered interconnectedness between and

among nationes people, and cultures. As a result, language communities
come in contact more often, which makes multilingualism as the norm of
the present world.
In this unit, you will learn about multblingualism, linguistic rights, and the
language issues inherent in a multilingual society. You will know more
about the diverse factors that influence language choice, and how such
choice, both of the individual and that of society, shapes language policy
LESSON 1:UNDERSTANDING
MULTILINGUALISM
LEARNING GOALS At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
1. define multilingualism and know the factors that have invigorated the
phenomenon;
2. understand and recognize the value of linguistic diversity in a
multilingual society, and
3. write a reaction essay on the issue of a national language vis-à-vis its
place in a multilingual environment.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
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
displeased 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.
 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. enomenon. 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
You may access the full article here:
Cenoz, J. (2013) Defining multilingualism. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics.
Retrieved August 8, 2020, from https://
www.researchgate.net/publication/259438531_Defining Multilingualism, 001:
10.1017/S026719051300007X
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.
Provide a specific example on how the factor has influenced the spread of
multilingualism.
TRANSNATIONAL MOBILITY OF
GLOBALIZATION THE POPULATION

EX: from African diaspora populations in

EX: How globalization has
impacted the increase of
multilingualism is the requirement
for proficiency in languages in the
global job marketplace.
Europe, Jan Blommaert examines the
sociolinguistic effects of globalization and
transnational movement in his book "The
Sociolinguistics of Globalization."
Provide a specific example on how the factor has influenced the spread of
multilingualism.

SPREAD OF NEW TECHNOLOGY

Ex: The advancement of computer-assisted

translation tools, which facilitate the translation of
text between languages and increase translation
accuracy and speed. The rise of multilingualism
has been aided by this technology, which has not
only made translation easier but also increased
accessibility to multilingual content.
Add a https://th.bing.com/th/id/OIP.4STNGtFmKiQN4zrjyJJaAwAAAA?rs=1&pid=ImgDetMainheading
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. With a partner, complete the graphic organizer below.
 MULTILINGUALI
SM
Individual
Receptive vs. Bilingualism vs.
Multilingualism vs.
Productive Multilingualism
Societal
Multilingualism Multilingualism
THANK YOU!