Lecture Notes: Family Language Policy with Professor Elizabeth Lanser

Introduction

• Speaker: Professor Elizabeth Lanser
• Position: Professor of Linguistics at the University of Oslo
• Role: Director of Multiling, Centre for Multilingualism in Society Across the Lifespan

Family Language Policy Overview

• Definition: Focuses on the strategies and policies bilingual families use to raise their children to be bilingual.
• Relevance: Important for understanding how children in bilingual families acquire language.

Key Concepts

• Bilingual Families:
  • Variability in outcomes for children:
    • Some children become proficient in both languages.
    • Others may not effectively use both languages.
• Study Focus: Investigate which family language policies support effective bilingualism.

Common Misconceptions

• Perception of Language Policy:
  • Many believe there is a single effective approach to family language policy.
  • In reality, there are various strategies families can adopt.

Important Strategies

• One Parent, One Language (OPOL):
  • A strategy where each parent consistently speaks a different language to the child.
  • Considered one of the successful approaches to fostering bilingualism.

Conclusion

• Diversity in Language Policies:
  • Families have unique contexts and may follow different approaches to language use.
  • Understanding this diversity is key to supporting bilingual development.

Acknowledgements

• Thank you to Professor Lanser for sharing her insights on family language policy and bilingualism.