Life as a Bilingual

Parenting

Life as a Bilingual: Au Revoir

Francois Grosjean Ph.D. on January 21, 2021

This blog tells readers what it means to live with two or more languages, and constitutes an online resource on the bilingual adult and child. Writing it has been a pleasure.

This blog tells readers what it means to live with two or more languages, and constitutes an online resource on the bilingual adult and child. Writing it has been a pleasure.

Parenting

Giving up on Bilingualism, for a While at Least

Francois Grosjean Ph.D. on March 9, 2020

Making sure that children in a family become bilingual and stay that way can be hard work. This tale started with linguistic disappointment and ended with linguistic success.

Making sure that children in a family become bilingual and stay that way can be hard work. This tale started with linguistic disappointment and ended with linguistic success.

Cognition

Understanding Someone With a Foreign Accent

Francois Grosjean Ph.D. on February 17, 2020

We sometimes interact with a person who has a strong foreign accent. What impact does it have on our understanding of what is being said?

We sometimes interact with a person who has a strong foreign accent. What impact does it have on our understanding of what is being said?

Personality

Change of Language, Change of Personality? Uncovered Data

Francois Grosjean Ph.D. on January 6, 2020

A look at how monolinguals change their personality ratings depending on the context helps to demystify the change of personality issue in bilinguals.

A look at how monolinguals change their personality ratings depending on the context helps to demystify the change of personality issue in bilinguals.

Personality

Keeping My Four Cultures Alive

Francois Grosjean Ph.D. on December 6, 2019

Over the course of my life, I have become a mosaic of four cultures. I now have the challenge of keeping them alive within me.

Over the course of my life, I have become a mosaic of four cultures. I now have the challenge of keeping them alive within me.

Career

Those Amazing Special Bilinguals

Francois Grosjean Ph.D. on November 4, 2019

Special bilinguals have a regular—and at times unique—relationship with their languages.

Special bilinguals have a regular—and at times unique—relationship with their languages.

Child Development

Recovering a Childhood Language Under Hypnosis

Francois Grosjean Ph.D. on October 9, 2019

In close to 60 years, only three readily available studies have examined whether a forgotten childhood language can reappear under hypnosis. The results are truly fascinating.

In close to 60 years, only three readily available studies have examined whether a forgotten childhood language can reappear under hypnosis. The results are truly fascinating.

Cognition

Multilingual Aphasia: A Personal Testimony

Francois Grosjean Ph.D. on September 9, 2019

Language and speech impairment due to brain damage is a very difficult experience some people have to live through. Here an aphasic patient gives us her personal testimony.

Language and speech impairment due to brain damage is a very difficult experience some people have to live through. Here an aphasic patient gives us her personal testimony.

Cognition

Understanding Language Loss

Francois Grosjean Ph.D. on August 13, 2019

Languages can be acquired but they can also be lost. In this post, an expert on the topic of language attrition in bilinguals tells us about it.

Languages can be acquired but they can also be lost. In this post, an expert on the topic of language attrition in bilinguals tells us about it.

Stuttering

Stuttering in Bilinguals: What We Know

Francois Grosjean Ph.D. on July 15, 2019

Many aspects of stuttering in bilinguals are still being researched. Dr. Valerie Lim, a recognized stuttering specialist, helps us uncover the major issues.

Many aspects of stuttering in bilinguals are still being researched. Dr. Valerie Lim, a recognized stuttering specialist, helps us uncover the major issues.

Dementia

The Bilingual Advantage: Three Years Later

Francois Grosjean Ph.D. on June 11, 2019

The debate on the cognitive advantage of being bilingual rages on. Researcher Mark Antoniou helps us understand where things stand today.

The debate on the cognitive advantage of being bilingual rages on. Researcher Mark Antoniou helps us understand where things stand today.

Cognition

How Those Incredible Interpreters Do It

Francois Grosjean Ph.D. on April 30, 2019

Language interpreters accomplish one of the most difficult linguistic tasks humans can undertake.

Language interpreters accomplish one of the most difficult linguistic tasks humans can undertake.

Child Development

How my Mother Lured Me into Multilingualism

Francois Grosjean Ph.D. on April 2, 2019

Once upon a time, in a land far away, a mother convinced her daughter that foreign languages would open a window in the Iron Curtain.

Once upon a time, in a land far away, a mother convinced her daughter that foreign languages would open a window in the Iron Curtain.

Cognition

Dyslexia, Bilingualism, and Learning a Second Language

Francois Grosjean Ph.D. on March 1, 2019

Dyslexia is the most common learning disability. Yet we know very little about it when two or more languages are involved.

Dyslexia is the most common learning disability. Yet we know very little about it when two or more languages are involved.

Friends

Helping Others Become Bilingual

Francois Grosjean Ph.D. on February 5, 2019

Focused on our own language learning strategies, we rarely think about the role we play in the learning of others. How can we support our friends' language learning pursuits?

Focused on our own language learning strategies, we rarely think about the role we play in the learning of others. How can we support our friends' language learning pursuits?

Neuroscience

The Research Finding Some of Us Didn't Want to Believe

Francois Grosjean Ph.D. on January 8, 2019

A very old research finding related to the slight delay that can occur in the perception of spoken code-switches by bilinguals has had a long and interesting life.

A very old research finding related to the slight delay that can occur in the perception of spoken code-switches by bilinguals has had a long and interesting life.

Cognition

What Does It Mean to be a Multilingual Archeologist?

Francois Grosjean Ph.D. on December 11, 2018

Rachel Mairs, an incredibly multilingual classicist and archeologist, offers insights into her language learning and field work.

Rachel Mairs, an incredibly multilingual classicist and archeologist, offers insights into her language learning and field work.

Cognition

When a Parent Is a Child's Only Language Source

Francois Grosjean Ph.D. on November 13, 2018

Raising a bilingual child is a challenge when one parent is the only source of the second language. A father shares how he goes about it with his three-year old.

Raising a bilingual child is a challenge when one parent is the only source of the second language. A father shares how he goes about it with his three-year old.

Cognition

Passing for a Native Speaker, Part 2

Francois Grosjean Ph.D. on October 15, 2018

The cult Israeli TV show Fauda offers surprising answers to the perennial question: Can adults ever pass for native speakers of a language they weren’t born into?

The cult Israeli TV show Fauda offers surprising answers to the perennial question: Can adults ever pass for native speakers of a language they weren’t born into?

Child Development

The Amazing Rise of Bilingualism in the United States

Francois Grosjean Ph.D. on September 11, 2018

The United States has long been seen as a mostly monolingual country. Things have changed rapidly in 40 years, however, and now well over a fifth of the population is bilingual.

The United States has long been seen as a mostly monolingual country. Things have changed rapidly in 40 years, however, and now well over a fifth of the population is bilingual.