What is the relationship between a multilingual individual and a multilingual society

The interaction of the multilingual person with society can be complex and dynamic. The linguistic and cultural diversity of the society in which multilingual people live has an impact on them. Through their own language and cultural practises, they add to such diversity. Language contact is common in multilingual society, which can result in linguistic borrowing and blending. People who are multilingual can contribute to boosting respect and awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity. A high level of language contact, which can result in linguistic borrowing, code-switching, and other forms of language mixing, can be used to identify multilingual civilisations.

In addition to helping promote acceptance and appreciation for language and cultural diversity. Bilingual persons may make a big difference in their own societies by bridging linguistic and cultural gaps and creating a welcoming environment in which multilingual people can continue to learn and use their languages. Additionally, it may inspire additional individuals to acquire additional languages.

For example, This bridging affect can help when out in public; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hxOroYhGdY In this video an individual is getting told what he has by a doctor, the multilingual translator then takes it in and translates it to the monolingual in this situation. This shows that the multilingual individual is helping her society as she is helping not only the patient but also the doctor

How does multilingualism affect cognitive development in children

How does multilingualism affect cognitive development in children

Multilingualism can affect a child's cognitive development in many many ways but most likely positively. When learning a new language, the brain becomes stronger, adaptable and quicker to respond which then improves other thinks like mental skills and other areas in life. A multilingual child is seen to have a greater mental flexibility, a more diverse set of mental abilities. It is seen that they can also be more creative. For instance, some authors contend that bilingual children may have greater cognitive control over information interpretation than monolingual children, and that this provides them with the crucial foundation for metalinguistic ability. In Vygotsky. L (1934) theory, he expresses that “the same thought in different languages will enable the child to see his language as one particular system among the rest”. Multiple language exposure from birth increases the number of native speakers of each language in a child. When multilingualism is brought up in a child, Expatica (....) states that “multilingualism improves a person’s memory” and “ Multilingual kids can perform better at school”. Not only does multilingualism in a child help within school, it can also expand the child's linguistic toolbox when interacting around the world.

Outside of the schooling positive impacts, there are many more like, having a better sense of self-worth, identity and improves family bonding.

- The child feeling confident; by the child being multilingual can boost their confidence when communicating and connecting with family/ extended family and people in general.

- The child can listen and learn from heritage stories from “back in the day” directly off their families

- Being bilingual helps strengthen family ties and increase their sense of cultural identity.

Overall, a multilingual child has very few negative outcomes; in this case, it can be losing a home or heritage language, which is frequently linked to family, emotions, and identity. This advantage can easily be fixed although the family can keep speaking and making sure that the mother tongue is always remembered and spoken in as well as learning other languages. Another negative impact that is said to be by Hamers & Blanc (2000) says that “some children suffered from academic retardation, had a lower IQ and were socially maladjusted, compared with monolingual children.”