Multilingualism - Key Concepts

Multilingualism - Key Concepts to Know

What is the difference between multilingualism and multiculturalism?

Plurilingualism is distinguished from multilingualism, which refers to the presence of several languages in a given geographical area.

Multilingualism is an individual ability, while multilingualism is a characteristic of a group or community.

To summarize: multilingualism concerns a group or a place, while plurilingualism concerns an individual.

What is the point of speaking several languages to children from a young age?

Immersed in a multilingual environment from a young age, a child develops a fascinating ability to acquire vocabulary in each language they hear and speak daily. Their brain, a knowledge-absorbing sponge, stores an unlimited number of words for each language they are exposed to.

This extraordinary ability allows him to naturally distinguish words belonging to each language, demonstrating remarkable linguistic finesse. The child's brain, endowed with incredible plasticity, adapts and organizes itself to manage this flood of complex linguistic information.

The earlier and more frequent the exposure to languages, the easier and more natural the acquisition of vocabulary and grammatical structures will be.

Are children aware of speaking different languages?

From birth, babies are immersed in a rich and complex sound world. They are sensitive to the sounds around them, analyze them, and begin to differentiate them. However, until around 8 months of age, they are not yet aware of hearing sounds from different languages.

His attention is particularly focused on his parents' language, the one he hears most frequently and which accompanies his daily interactions. He perceives its intonations, rhythms and melodies, unconsciously absorbing its structures and nuances.

From 8 months of age, babies reach a crucial stage in their linguistic development. Their constantly maturing brains become capable of distinguishing between multiple languages and clearly distinguishing their mother tongue from others. This awareness allows them to begin a more active learning phase.

Should you first master one language properly before learning another?

From birth, children are endowed with an innate ability to learn and master several languages, regardless of the linguistic environment in which they evolve. This extraordinary aptitude allows them to appropriate the codes and nuances of different languages, well before entering school.

The young child has a particular talent for navigating between languages, alternating naturally between them without having to master them perfectly.

Expertise in a given language then develops through repetition and practice. By regularly exposing themselves to the language and interacting with native speakers, children refine their language skills, enrich their vocabulary, and perfect their grammar.

This gradual acquisition of language is accompanied by a growing awareness of the rules and conventions specific to each language. The child learns to distinguish the phonetic nuances, syntactic structures, and idiomatic expressions that characterize each language, thus refining their understanding and mastery of linguistic codes.

Can nursery professionals speak their mother tongue with toddlers?

At Les Mousquetaires Daycare, we believe linguistic diversity is a source of wealth and promotes the development of young children. That's why we encourage our early childhood professionals to speak their mother tongue with children during reading, comforting, morning reception, and other activities.

Why is this important?

Strengthen the bond with the child : Speaking their mother tongue allows the professional to create a stronger emotional bond with the child, providing them with a familiar and reassuring reference point. This promotes the child's sense of security and well-being.

Valuing each child's culture : By using their own language, professionals value each child's culture and identity. This contributes to a better understanding and mutual appreciation of the different cultures present at the daycare.

Preparing for a multicultural world : Living in a multilingual environment from a young age prepares children for the diversity of the world around them. They become more open-minded and more comfortable interacting with people from different cultures.

At Les Mousquetaires Daycare, we also invite families to participate in multilingual workshops. These workshops allow children to discover different cultures through cooking, music, dance, and other fun activities. It's a unique opportunity for children to have fun while learning new things and opening up to new horizons.