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List of contents
Dedication
Acknowledgements
1 Introduction
2 Societal Bilingualism/Plurilingualism
3 Mixing Languages: Structure and Social Functions
4 Childhood Bilingualism
5 Bilingualism and the Brain
6 Summary
Appendix
Index
About the author
Shahrzad Mahootian is Professor Emerita in the Department of Linguistics, Northeastern Illinois University, USA.
Summary
Bilingualism provides a concise and lively introduction to bilingualism as a social and linguistic phenomenon and explains its impact on individuals and on society. Aimed at students with no background in linguistics, this book is essential reading for anyone studying bilingualism for the first time.
Additional text
"Bilingualism scholars are constantly striving to better explain and understand multilingualism. This introductory textbook admirably engages readers in the same spirit of curious and enthusiastic inquiry. This is a truly thought-provoking and pedagogically well-designed book that will lead to a better understanding of the complex and ubiquitous phenomenon of multilingual language learning and use."
Annick De Houwer, Universität Erfurt, Germany
"Written in a very clear and compelling style, with lucid examples and thought-provoking questions, this book offers a wealth of information about the complex spectrum of bilingualism, ranging from psycho- and neuro-linguistics to contact linguistics. In doing so, the book provides deeper insights into how the multilingual mind and the brain work both in public and private domains/arenas."
Tej K. Bhatia, Syracuse University, New York, USA
"This book could be titled Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Bilingualism But Were Afraid to Ask! Societal, interactional, structural and cognitive aspects of bilingualism are clearly explained and presented with compelling examples and entertaining activities This book will delight linguists and non-linguists, students, teachers, and those reading for pleasure."
Janet M. Fuller, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
