Multilingualism, linguistic diversity, and English in India: Effects on underprivileged children’s linguistic and cognitive development

Multilingualism, linguistic diversity, and English in India: Effects on underprivileged children’s linguistic and cognitive development

Ianthi Maria Tsimpli and Anusha Balasubramanian

Current Perspectives on Generative SLA - Processing, Influence, and Interfaces: Selected proceedings of the 16th Generative Approaches to Second Language Acquisition Conference, Chapter 15, Edited by Marta Velnić, Anne Dahl and Kjersti Faldet Listhaug 2024.

https://doi.org/10.1075/lald.70.15tsi?locatt=mode:legacy

This chapter explores bi-/multilingualism in the Indian context, summarizing findings from the MultiLiLa project which addressed the persistent challenge of low learning outcomes in India. The research covered diverse geographical settings and employed a comprehensive methodology. We present quantitative findings from classroom observations, emphasizing the extent of English input in primary school. Linking learners’ home language profiles, school language exposure, and performance on cognitive and linguistic tasks, the chapter also explores English narrative retellings as a lens for understanding the use of vocabulary and morphosyntax. The findings provide valuable insights into the dynamics of language input and its implications for bilingual education in India. The chapter contributes to the broader discourse on bilingualism and sets the stage for future research.