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Chapter 15. Multilingualism, linguistic diversity, and English in India

Effects on underprivileged children’s linguistic and cognitive development
  • Ianthi Maria Tsimpli and Anusha Balasubramanian
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Abstract

This chapter explores bi-/multilingualism in the Indian context, summarizing findings from the MultiLiLa project which addressed the persistent challenge of low learning outcomes in India. The research covered diverse geographical settings and employed a comprehensive methodology. We present quantitative findings from classroom observations, emphasizing the extent of English input in primary school. Linking learners’ home language profiles, school language exposure, and performance on cognitive and linguistic tasks, the chapter also explores English narrative retellings as a lens for understanding the use of vocabulary and morphosyntax. The findings provide valuable insights into the dynamics of language input and its implications for bilingual education in India. The chapter contributes to the broader discourse on bilingualism and sets the stage for future research.

Abstract

This chapter explores bi-/multilingualism in the Indian context, summarizing findings from the MultiLiLa project which addressed the persistent challenge of low learning outcomes in India. The research covered diverse geographical settings and employed a comprehensive methodology. We present quantitative findings from classroom observations, emphasizing the extent of English input in primary school. Linking learners’ home language profiles, school language exposure, and performance on cognitive and linguistic tasks, the chapter also explores English narrative retellings as a lens for understanding the use of vocabulary and morphosyntax. The findings provide valuable insights into the dynamics of language input and its implications for bilingual education in India. The chapter contributes to the broader discourse on bilingualism and sets the stage for future research.

Chapters in this book

  1. 日本言語政策学会 / Japan Association for Language Policy. 言語政策 / Language Policy 10. 2014 i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Acknowledgements vii
  4. Introduction 1
  5. Section A. (Null) subjects and anaphora resolution
  6. Chapter 1. What the acquisition of Japanese vs. Chinese contributes to generative approaches to SLA 10
  7. Chapter 2. Extending the Decreased Activation Hypothesis 37
  8. Chapter 3. Complements and adjuncts of  one in L2 English noun drop 63
  9. Section B. The nominal domain
  10. Chapter 4. Second language acquisition of English plurals by Chinese learners 88
  11. Chapter 5. Revisiting plurality in SLA 111
  12. Chapter 6. L2 acquisition of English flexible count and flexible mass nouns by L1-Japanese and L1-Spanish speakers 134
  13. Section C. Sensitivity in L2 processing & ambiguity resolution
  14. Chapter 7. Structural change and ambiguity resolution in L2 learners of English 172
  15. Chapter 8. Offline L2-English relative clause attachment preferences 197
  16. Chapter 9. Sensitivity to silently structured interveners 220
  17. Chapter 10. Sensitivity to event structure in passives supports deep processing in L1 and L2 238
  18. Section D. Forms and representations at the interfaces
  19. Chapter 11. “And yet it moves” 264
  20. Chapter 12. There isn’t a problem with indefinites in existential constructions in L2-English 290
  21. Section E. Factors in bi- and multilingual development
  22. Chapter 13. UG-as-Guide in selection and reassembly of an uninterpretable feature in L2 acquisition of  wh -questions 316
  23. Chapter 14. The narrative skills of Russian-Cypriot Greek children 349
  24. Chapter 15. Multilingualism, linguistic diversity, and English in India 374
  25. 日本言語政策学会 / Japan Association for Language Policy. 言語政策 / Language Policy 10. 2014 401
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