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Articles on Multilingualism

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Language policy in Canada suggests misunderstanding among government officials and the general public about language use, international language rights and their implications. (Shutterstock)

Supporting minority languages requires more than token gestures

Canada’s population is more diverse than ever, with many different languages represented. Government policy must reflect that diversity and offer meaningful support to minority languages.
Coalition Avenir Québec Leader François Legault launches his campaign at the Montmorency Falls with candidates, Aug. 28, 2022 in Québec City. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot

Is it important to post election signs in languages other than French in Québec?

Signs in languages other than French could be seen as an outstretched hand in yet another episode of linguistic tensions, but also as an indicator that French is indeed losing ground.
Judge President of South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal, Mandisa Maya. Simphiwe Nkwali (Photo by Gallo Images / The Times via GettyImages)

Justice Maya’s support for African languages in South Africa’s courts is a positive sign

It is important to embrace all the nation’s languages in a multilingual and multicultural society. This will ensure they are used, developed and mainstreamed.
Moments of intimate playing, learning and teaching are among the ways that immigrant parents extend and expand their home languages with their children. (Rajesh Rajput/Unsplash)

5 ways immigrant parents support children’s home language learning

When schools honour and learn from immigrant parents’ knowledge, they support more opportunities to enhance young children’s linguistic, cultural and social experiences.
Being bilingual can delay onset of dementia, but sometimes patients revert to their mother tongue, leaving them isolated. Shutterstock

Bilingualism and dementia: how some patients lose their second language and rediscover their first

Why the lives of bilingual dementia patients can be transformed by finding carers who speak their native language.
Each of South Africa’s former presidents treated the state broadcaster very differently. From left Jacob Zuma, Nelson Mandela, and Thabo Mbeki (2008). Epa/Kim Ludbrook

Why South Africa needs to fix its troubled public broadcaster

The South African Broadcasting Corporation, like South Africa itself, is a symbol of contradictions. While there are bad people who work for it, there are also many good ones.
When professionals, like pharmacists, are able to communicate in many languages, everyone benefits. AS Photo Studio/Shutterstock

How South Africa’s universities are making more students multilingual

Vocation specific language courses can encourage both linguistic and cultural awareness. They can equip students with the basics they need to communicate.
Learning in their mother tongue facilitates children’s ability to learn another language. Cecil Bo Dzwowa/Shutterstock/Editorial use only

Five ways indigenous languages can be championed for learners

The International Year of Indigenous Languages serves as a good impetus to start implementing policies that prioritises Africa’s own languages.

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