Plurilingualism

Summary

The story follows Angelica, a plurilingual individual whose life reflects the unpredictable and fluid nature of language acquisition. Growing up in Brazil, she navigated multiple languages, including Portuguese, Italian, Spanish, and later English. Her linguistic journey is marked by moments of adaptation and discovery, influenced by cultural, political, and personal contexts. Angelica's experience illustrates the dynamic nature of being plurilingual, where language proficiency fluctuates but empowers her to connect with diverse cultures and people. Now an English teacher, she embraces multilingualism, encouraging her students to explore their linguistic backgrounds.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Plurilingualism involves a non-linear, dynamic linguistic journey, often full of improvisation and unpredictability.
• 🇧🇷 Angelica, born in Brazil, was raised with a rich linguistic background, influenced by her Italian and Spanish heritage.
• 🇵🇹 Portuguese, Italian, and Spanish are interconnected as Romance languages, contributing to Angelica's linguistic development.
• 🧠 Plurilingualism isn't about compartmentalizing languages; rather, it's about using them fluidly and interchangeably.
• 👶 Angelica was exposed to multiple languages as a child, but her formal education in Brazil required her to conform to a single language, Brazilian Portuguese.
• 📉 Angelica faced early criticism from teachers about her language development, though she was actually experimenting with multiple languages.
• 🎧 Angelica's passion for learning English sparked when she was introduced to the language in school, influenced heavily by American media like music and films.
• 💡 Despite focusing on English for academic reasons, Angelica retained her ability to speak Italian, Spanish, and other languages through family interactions and cultural exposure.
• 🌎 Angelica's plurilingualism allowed her to explore and embrace other languages and cultures, both in her travels and through her academic pursuits.
• 📚 As an adult, Angelica uses her plurilingual skills to teach English, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and utilizing students' linguistic backgrounds.

Q & A

Who is Angelica, and where was she born?

Angelica is a plurilingual girl who was born in a suburban town called Hion Pedes, located in the southeast of Brazil.

What is the significance of differentiating between Brazilian Portuguese and Portuguese from Portugal?

The differentiation between Brazilian Portuguese and Portuguese from Portugal is a political and ideological statement, symbolizing Brazil's separation from its colonial past and affirming its own identity.

What languages did Angelica grow up learning, and how did they influence her linguistic development?

Angelica grew up learning Brazilian Portuguese, Italian, and Spanish, influenced by her father's Italian heritage and her mother's Spanish background. These languages formed part of her linguistic repertoire, though she initially did not realize they were separate languages.

What challenges did Angelica face in preschool regarding her language development?

In preschool, Angelica was incorrectly told by her teacher that she had a speech problem and possibly a low IQ because she pronounced certain sounds, like the 's', differently. This was likely due to her exposure to multiple languages at home.

Why did Angelica become uninterested in learning after a few years in school?

Angelica became uninterested in learning because the school environment suppressed her ability to experiment with and use multiple languages, which made her feel trapped.

How did learning English reignite Angelica's passion for studying?

Angelica's interest in learning was reignited when she was introduced to English in fifth grade. She became excited about learning the language, partly due to her earlier exposure to it through her older sister and North American media.

How did exposure to North American media influence Angelica's learning of English?

North American media, such as music from 'New Kids on the Block' and Hollywood movies, played a significant role in Angelica's English development. She memorized song lyrics, watched movies, and even altered her TV to focus on listening rather than reading subtitles.

What does it mean to be a plurilingual, and how does Angelica identify with this term?

Being plurilingual means having a linguistic repertoire that includes multiple languages or varieties within the same language. Angelica identifies as plurilingual because her life trajectory provided her the opportunity to learn and use several languages for personal, social, and professional purposes.

How did Angelica's university years contribute to her linguistic journey?

During her university years in São Paulo, Angelica explored a wide range of languages, including Spanish, Italian, Sanskrit, Latin, Japanese, and Tupi. This period helped her expand her plurilingual abilities and rediscover her interest in languages like Spanish.

How has being plurilingual benefited Angelica in her personal and professional life?

Being plurilingual has empowered Angelica to adapt her linguistic repertoire to various social, personal, and professional contexts. It has also given her a deeper understanding of different cultures and enabled her to connect with people from diverse linguistic backgrounds.