BTLPT Sociolinguistics and Language Variation Flashcards

What does 'code-switching' mean in a bilingual educational context?

Answer: Alternating between two languages within or across utterances

Code-switching refers to the practice of alternating between two languages, which is common and linguistically sophisticated among bilinguals.

In BTLPT preparation, understanding 'diglossia' is important because it describes:

Answer: A situation where two language varieties serve distinct social functions in a community

Diglossia describes communities where a 'high' variety is used in formal settings and a 'low' variety in informal ones, affecting bilingual instruction.

Which term describes the variety of Spanish spoken by Mexican-Americans in the US Southwest?

Answer: Chicano Spanish

Chicano Spanish is a recognized dialect of Spanish spoken by Mexican-Americans in the US Southwest, with unique lexical and phonological features.

What is 'language attrition' as it relates to BTLPT bilingual education candidates?

Answer: Gradual loss of proficiency in a language due to reduced use

Language attrition is the gradual decline of proficiency in a language — often the heritage language — when it is not regularly used.

For BTLPT purposes, 'additive bilingualism' refers to:

Answer: Developing a second language while maintaining and valuing the first

Additive bilingualism promotes learning a new language while maintaining the home language, which research shows leads to better academic outcomes.

Which sociolinguistic factor most strongly influences which language a bilingual speaker uses in a given situation?

Answer: Domain — the social context including setting, topic, and participants

Domain theory holds that language choice is governed by the combination of setting, topic, and interlocutors (participants) in the interaction.