Am I perfect enough to be a true bilingual? Monolingual bias in the lay perception and self-perception of bi- and multilinguals

Abstract

AbstractLittle is still known about the factors which make L2 speakers self-categorize as bilinguals and the ways in which bilinguals self-perceive and evaluate their language proficiency. This replicational study aims to contribute to a better understanding of this problem by analyzing linguistic and sociobiographical factors determining self-identification as a bilingual, as well as validating the findings of (Sia, Jennifer & Jean-Marc Dewaele. 2006. Are you bilingual?BISAL1. 1–19). While both studies show that self-assessed overall L2 proficiency and self-rated skill proficiencies (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) have an effect on self-classification as a bilingual, discrepancies were identified in sociobiographical variables, which means that further research is necessary in this area.The present study was also extended by obtaining qualitative data concerning participants’ definitions of bilingualism and reasons for self-categorizing as bilinguals or not. It was hypothesized that this type of information would shed new light on the results of the original study, which was confirmed by the analysis of the collected responses. The fractional view of bilingualism (Grosjean, François. 1985. The bilingual as a competent but specific speaker-hearer.Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development6. 467–477), stemming from the monolingual bias (Cook, Vivian. 1997. Monolingual bias in second language acquisition research.Revista Canaria de Estudios Ingleses34. 35–50), seems to be deeply ingrained in the lay perception of the phenomenon, making bilinguals underestimate and see their skills inaccurately. This indicates that the lay view, drawing extensively on the notion of ideal native speaker as the benchmark, and the current academic approach to bilingualism diverge considerably. It is argued that relevant steps ought to be taken to change the status quo.