Bilingualism, Diglossia and Language Normalization

Bilingualism refers to the use of two or more languages by an individual or a community, or to communication between speakers of different languages. The term bilingualism designates very different cases:

Individual bilingualism

Individual bilingualism is the use of two languages by the same person. There is symmetrical bilingualism when a person speaks both languages equally; the opposite is asymmetrical bilingualism. Bilingualism can be instrumental when someone learns a second language for practical reasons. We also distinguish passive bilingualism, when one understands another language but does not speak it or does not want to speak it, from active bilingualism, when one both understands and uses the other language.

Territorial bilingualism

Territorial bilingualism occurs when two linguistic communities occupy a geographic area divided into zones delimited by language. The constitution of such states may recognize two state languages and declare each official in its respective territory. In effect, these are two areas within a state that are officially monolingual.

Social bilingualism

Social bilingualism is the use of two languages within the same territory, often one indigenous and the other introduced or dominant. Based on the extent of the non-indigenous language in the host community, bilingualism may be widespread or limited. In the first case there may be a co-official language; in the second case one of the languages is not official.

The domains of use for both languages can be identical, but this is rare. More commonly, domains are divided, and it is unusual to observe a stable and neutral widespread bilingualism. Typically a hierarchy is established between languages so that, over time, the situation may become unstable and resolve in favor of the dominant language.

Hidden social bilingualism often generates linguistic conflict and an imbalance between languages; one of the two languages progresses at the expense of the other (a process related to diglossia). In diglossic situations two varieties or languages coexist: one is used in formal contexts and enjoys prestige, while the other is used in informal contexts, colloquial speech, and within the family.

Language normalization and shift

The language shift begins when native speakers of a territory's language adopt a new language, becoming subordinated to it and potentially ending with monolingualism in the second language and the extinction of the native language.

The stability of a language is only ensured through its standardization. Standardization can turn a social process of language recovery into revitalization, enabling the language to become again a vehicle for regular use in its community.