Code-switching and learning among young children in Singapore

• Autores: J.A. Foley
• Localización: International journal of the sociology of language, ISSN 0165-2516, Nº. 130, 1998, págs. 129-150
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • The argument put forward in this paper is that in a multilingual and multicultural society such äs Singapore, the ability to code-switch is an important toolfor the child m the learning process. Every conversational interaction between child and caregiver orpeer not onfy reveals to the child Information about the structure and uses of langmage but also is essential in developmg the growing cognMve skills. The theoretical backdrop used in this study is that ofa systemic functional approach to language within the framework of conversationat malysis. Such an approach Stresses language äs "choice" in the developmg language network of the child. It is argued that strategies for learning are most usefully seen äs ways of mobilizing the language resources available mto coherent discourse in order to participate effectively within the Community