Midterm Exam

Answer four of the following eight questions. You need to consider all the material covered up to the fifth week. You may need to enrich your answers with research beyond the readings for the class. You should cite all your sources properly. Due date: Thursday, November 6 at 5:00PM

1) Krashenıs theory of second language acquisition has been extensively cited in most of the readings. Briefly described its major components (distinction between acquisition and learning, input hypothesis and affective filter hypothesis) and establish the principal assumptions on which the theory is based. Analyze all the different contexts in which Krashenıs model has been applied and criticize the theory from the standpoint of other theoretical approaches.

2) Socialization plays an important role in language acquisition processes. Define that role and explain the relationship between social interaction and second language acquisition. You should refer to some of the sociolinguistic theories and their intersections with psycholinguistic approaches.

3) Define the terms acculturation and assimilation. Compare two (or more) of the models describing acculturation and assimilation processes. What are the roles of culture and language in such processes? Provide some concrete examples. You may use the case studies presented in Language diversity: problem or resource? to analyze the acculturation process in a particular immigrant community.

4) Define each of the following terms (you may provide more than one definition or briefly explain the reasons behind your choice of one over the others) *Bilingualism *Biculturalism *Diglossia *Diethnia.

For each definition explain the problems and the consequences that adoption of such definitions may have at the social, institutional and individual levels (you may need to define and address concepts such us code-switching, borrowing, loanshift and interference).

5) Drawing from international as well as individual examples, discuss the advantages and disadvantages of bilingualism at the social and individual levels.

6) Read the first chapter of Richard Rodriguezıs Hunger of memory. List and prioritize the principal assumptions on which he is basing his statements. Respond to each one from a linguistic and cultural perspective, combining all the information you have accumulated during the past weeks.

7) Compare two multilingual countries other than the U.S.. What are their language policies and language attitudes? How do policies and attitudes shape language choice, language shift and/or language maintenance? Can any of these countries serve as models for U.S. language policies? Why or why not?

8) Compare two linguistic minorities, their language attitudes and cultural situation in relation to the host society. Take into consideration historical and immigration patterns, as well as language and culture similarities and differences.