Bilingualism is the ability to use two languages naturally.
Each person's linguistic ability depends on many factors, but starting early always gives you a better chance of mastering a second language. In a multicultural society, the ability to speak two languages is considered a great asset. It is also known that exposure to a foreign language at an early stage of a child's development has a positive effect on some cognitive functions of the brain. Let us get to know some facts and myths about bilingualism.
The impact of bilingualism on child development
Until recently, the knowledge of foreign languages was considered an obstacle in the natural development of a child. It turns out, however, that it is a myth that teaching infants and young children more than one language causes delays in speech and language development. There is evidence that in a bilingual child's brain, both language systems are activated even when the child is using only one language. In such a situation, one system may block the other, but this is now considered a positive sign as the brain is forced to exceptional training. As a consequence, young children who speak two languages are much better at solving various kinds of intellectual puzzles.
It is also a myth that speaking to a child in two languages at the same time causes speech disorders. Speech problems can also occur in a child who speaks only one language. Bilingualism has no effect on speech problems and should not be used as an explanation for such problems. Children learning several languages in a stressful environment may have problems with speech development, but children learning one language have similar problems. The argument that the use of two languages by young children causes entrapment between two cultures and identity problems is also not true. Observing adults raised in a bilingual environment does not confirm this and indicates that they do not have problems with their sense of belonging. Typically, people who feel good in two cultures identify with both.
