This House Believes in one language
Author: Rhona Galera & Paula Leslie
Magazine issue: Summer 09
Page numbers: 20-21
Date: 31 May 2009
Add to Shopping Basket
This is the second in our series of articles set out like a debate, with the Proposition required to prove its case and the Opposition aiming to show why the Proposition is wrong. The Proposition case considers the evidence for encouraging linguistically diverse families to use one language with preschoolers with language delay, arguing this can prevent language confusion and reduce the risk of stuttering. The Opposition contends that the concept of language is independent of mono or bilingualism, and that the evidence supports nurturing traditional family cultures and native language, even when a child has language impairment. The authors draw a conclusion for clinical practice based on the available evidence and basic ethical principles.
