Are we multilingual enough?

Multilingualism is the ability to speak more than one language in any given situation. Some scholars opine that one is only considered multilingual when the languages were acquired during early childhood and if one’s command of these languages is perfect orally and in written form. These scholars are of the view that linguistically, one must be proficient in all language skills, namely, listening, speaking, reading and writing, similar to native speakers’ proficiency level to be considered multilingual.

However, others consider individuals with varying levels of proficiency in all languages as multilingual. This is because one’s level of proficiency in any language may be different depending on one’s reasons for using the language, as well as one’s experience of using it. For example, one may understand a spoken text by listening to it but may be unable to speak the language. This person can be considered having listening competency as opposed to verbal competency. The complexity of multilingualism can also be seen during code-switching, or language alternation. Code-switching happens when one is talking to other people in different settings and on varying subjects. For instance, a conversation with hawkers is more casual; one would not use English but one’s mother tongue. But at an academic conference, the same individual would use English and a different set of vocabulary.

The same person would also code-switch when speaking to family members who speak other languages. Thus, multilingualism should be promoted at home, in tertiary institutions and at the national level.

It is important to become competent in every language learnt and this can start at home with parents encouraging their kids to speak as many languages as possible either by using the languages in communicating with one another or by exposing the languages to them using songs, movies or books.

Educators can do their part by exposing students to many languages so that an interest in multilingualism is developed. With a mix of teachers from different cultural backgrounds, schools can play a big role by promoting the use of multiple languages to students.

Add English to the mix and we can expect to see a generation of multilingual students poised for global success. Multilingualism can also be promoted by having motivational wording put up around the school in more than one language or by conducting the morning assembly in different languages.

The government, as policymaker, should promote the use of more than one language in advertisements, websites and signage across industries and sectors, particularly in education. Indeed, the advantages of being multilingual have benefited many on personal and societal levels, and should be inculcated in the young if Malaysians are to thrive in today’s borderless world.

NURIN ERDIANI MHD FADZIL

English language instructor

Centre for the Advancement of Language Competence

Universiti Putra Malaysia