Bicultural Thinking: Multilingual Ideas in Speech and Mind
Living in a diverse linguistic environment challenges the foundation of bicultural thinking. Individuals who fluently navigate between languages often wonder how their thoughts and dreams are shaped and expressed. This article explores the experiences of multilingual individuals in different cultural settings, highlighting the influence of language on cognitive processes and spoken expression.
Personal Experiences: Flemish-Dutch to Irish-English
Consider the case of a native Flemish Belgian-Dutch speaker who has lived in Ireland for two decades. She married a man from Manchester, UK, leading to a predominance of English in her life. Her reflections on bicultural thinking reveal the following:
The Dynamics of Declarative Thinking
When she speaks to her family in Flemish, there is a noticeable shift in her thought process. According to her children, her Flemish accent becomes more pronounced. This suggests that her thoughts revert to her mother tongue, particularly during communication with family. Similarly, her thoughts are influenced by French when interacting with francophone friends, indicating the fluidity and adaptability of her mind.
Incidents of Language Influence
One particular incident underscores how language can deeply influence thinking. While driving back home from the city, she thought in English about a poster she had seen, despite the poster being in Flemish. This suggests a mental shift occurring in the presence of different linguistic stimuli.
Philippine-English Challenges: A Multilingual Mind
Expanding the discussion to another bicultural scenario, a multilingual individual describes the difficulties in thinking in both English and Filipino. The fundamental reasons for this are:
Cultural and Linguistic Divide
The speaker notes that English and Filipino are not just different languages but also belong to distinct language families. English is part of the Germanic group, while Filipino belongs to the Austronesian/Malayo-Polynesian family. These differences in structure and vocabulary pose significant challenges when trying to express thoughts in both languages.
Usage of Language
The speaker has noticed a significant improvement in her English, particularly in her ability to use an accent. However, she finds thinking in English to be particularly challenging due to the multitude of words required to express a single idea. This is exacerbated by the numerous euphemisms used in English to avoid offending people, which can feel insincere or overly cautious compared to the directness of Filipino.
Cultural Context in Language Use
For the speaker, English feels like a 'sugarcoated' language, with a heavy focus on appropriate communication styles. In contrast, Filipino (Tagalog) is perceived as more straightforward and direct, with fewer words and less nuance. The vocabulary for expressing gender and sexuality, for example, is significantly more limited in Filipino, providing a different perspective on the same concepts in English.
Implications for Multilingual Individuals
The experiences described in this article have broader implications for those navigating multiple linguistic and cultural worlds. Understanding how language shapes the mind can help individuals express themselves more effectively and navigate complex social situations. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of recognizing and valuing the unique cognitive abilities that arise from multilingualism.
Overall, the ability to think and speak in multiple languages reflects a rich and adaptable multilingual mind, capable of adapting to various linguistic and cultural environments. This adaptability not only enhances communication skills but also provides a deeper understanding of the world around us.