Korean-English Bilingualism in Early Childhood: A Longitudinal Investigation of Development

This book provides a detailed longitudinal account of English and Korean acquisition in early childhood, examining code-switching and morphology and syntax development in Korean-American children. It sheds light on the linguistic capabilities of bilingual children and expands our understanding of heritage language acquisition.

Format: Hardback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 12 March 2024
Publisher: Multilingual Matters

This comprehensive book delves into the fascinating linguistic journey of Korean-English bilingual children residing in the United States. It offers a detailed longitudinal exploration of the acquisition of both English and Korean in early childhood, providing a close examination of the intricate processes of code-switching and morphology and syntax development during a period of rapid language dominance shift. Through its insightful narratives, the book unveils the remarkable linguistic abilities of bilingual children, broadening our understanding of heritage language acquisition and contributing to the ongoing research on bilingualism across typologically distinct language pairings. Researchers specializing in early childhood heritage language development will find the extensive longitudinal data a valuable resource for comparative analysis, while scholars and graduate students interested in sequential bilingualism, second language acquisition, and heritage speakers will find this book an invaluable resource.

Introduction:
The study of bilingualism has gained significant attention in recent years, as the world becomes increasingly interconnected and multilingual. Bilingual children, who acquire two languages from birth or early childhood, present a unique population with distinct linguistic characteristics and cognitive abilities. This book aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the linguistic development of Korean-English bilingual children living in the United States.

Longitudinal Data:
The book relies on extensive longitudinal data collected over several years from a cohort of Korean-English bilingual children. This data allows for a detailed examination of the acquisition of both English and Korean from a developmental perspective. The authors analyze the patterns of language use, the development of grammar and vocabulary, and the emergence of code-switching and morphological and syntax development.

Code-Switching:
One of the key aspects of bilingualism is code-switching, which refers to the use of two or more languages in a single conversation. Korean-English bilingual children often engage in code-switching, switching between their native Korean and their acquired English language. The book explores the factors that influence code-switching, such as language proficiency, social context, and cognitive factors. It also examines the cognitive processes involved in code-switching, such as language activation and switching costs.

Morphology and Syntax Development:
Morphology and syntax development are crucial components of language acquisition. The book provides a detailed analysis of the morphology and syntax of both English and Korean, including the acquisition of word formation, sentence structure, and verb tenses. The authors examine the similarities and differences between the two languages in these areas and discuss the factors that influence the development of bilingual morphology and syntax.

Heritage Language Acquisition:
Heritage language acquisition is a complex process that involves the preservation and development of a language that is not the primary language of the child. Korean-English bilingual children are a unique group of heritage language learners, as they acquire their second language in a foreign environment. The book explores the challenges and benefits of heritage language acquisition, including the impact on cognitive development, language proficiency, and identity.

Broad and Creative Linguistic Capabilities:
The book highlights the broad and creative linguistic capabilities of bilingual children. It demonstrates that bilingualism does not limit a child's linguistic abilities but rather enhances them. The authors showcase examples of bilingual children's innovative language use, such as code-mixing, blending, and the creation of new words and expressions.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, this book provides a valuable contribution to the field of bilingualism research. It offers a comprehensive overview of the linguistic development of Korean-English bilingual children living in the United States. Through its detailed longitudinal data and insightful analysis, the book sheds light on the remarkable linguistic abilities of bilingual children and expands our understanding of heritage language acquisition. It will be of interest to researchers, scholars, and graduate students in the fields of bilingualism, second language acquisition, and heritage speakers.

Weight: 430g
Dimension: 234 x 156 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781800412897