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Mental representations in receptive multilingualism
Edited by Bonnie C. Holmes and Michael T. Putnam
[Linguistic Approaches to Bilingualism 10:3] 2020
► pp. 412–440

A classification of receptive bilinguals

Why we need to distinguish them, and what they have in common

| Carleton University

The term ‘receptive bilingualism/multilingualism’ is used for diverse populations, all of which understand a language without producing speech in it, but differ in the way this receptive ability was achieved and in the linguistic knowledge underlying it. In previous studies, not enough attention is given to the differences between types of receptive bilinguals (RBs); however, a thorough analysis of all types is necessary to understand the nature of receptive bilingualism and, consequently, language comprehension and production in general.

I propose a classification of RBs based on the presence and nature of an acquisition process that led to receptive abilities. In this classification, RBs who comprehend a language mutually intelligible with one they know are distinguished from RBs with acquired knowledge. Within the former, RBs with and without previous exposure are distinguished. Within acquired types, RBs who comprehend a heritage language are distinguished from RBs who comprehend a second/foreign language.

Keywords: receptive bilinguals, receptive multilingualism, comprehension-production asymmetry
Article outline
  • 1.Types of receptive bilinguals: Introducing the classification
  • 2.Comprehension-production asymmetry in different types of RBs
    • 2.1MIL RB
    • 2.2L2 RB
    • 2.3HL RB
  • 3.Nature of knowledge and mechanisms of comprehension
    • 3.1Phonology
    • 3.2Lexicon
    • 3.3Morphology and syntax
  • 4.Social aspects and language attitudes
  • 5.Differences between types of receptive bilinguals
  • 6.What is common to all types of receptive bilinguals
  • 7.Conclusion
  • Notes
  • References
Published online: 29 April 2020
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/lab.17080.she
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