Types of Bilingualism


Bilinguals are classified on the basis of dimensions, including:

v   Depending on the age of exposure to two (or more) languages

Early bilingualism is defined as the acquisition of more than one language in the pre-adolescent phase of life.                                 

Late bilingualism has been defined as the acquisition of one language before and the other language after the age of 8 years (after critical period), especially when L2 is learned in adulthood or adolescence.



v    Depending on the relationship between the fluency and proficiency of languages.

Balanced bilinguals acquire similar degrees of proficiency and mastery in both languages.

Dominant (or unbalanced) bilinguals are those individuals whom their proficiency in one language is higher than that in the other language(s).


v     Depending on how two or more linguistic codes are organized and stored by individuals.

Coordinate Bilingualism; the individual learns the languages separately, in separate environments, and maintains this separation after mastering both.

Compound Bilingualism; there is no such dividing line; the individual learns the languages in the same environment and context and they are often used concurrently or even interchangeably.

Subordinate Bilingualism; people who have learnt a second language and cannot understand it without the help of their first language. Such people will translate the words of second language in their mother tongue, then they would be able to understand them.


v    Depending on various social variables

Folk bilinguals are often language minority community whose own language does not have a high status in the predominant language society in which they dwell.

Elite bilinguals are those who speak a dominant language in a given society and also those who can speak another language which provides them additional value and benefit within the society.


v    Depending on how one’s L2 influences the retention of one’s L1

Additive bilinguals; Bilinguals who can improve their L2 without losing their L1 proficiency.

Subtractive bilinguals; those whose L2 is acquired or learned at the cost of losing their L1.

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