Cyprus-Forum.com

by **KELEBEK** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 8:53 pm

I believe if we are tied together with the G/C, whether we want it or not, we will have a case of Semilingualism, not bilingualism.

Semilinguals are regarded as not having "sufficient" competence in either of their languages.
A semi lingual:
· displays a small vocabulary and incorrect grammar
· consciously thinks about language production
· is stilted and uncreative in either language
· finds it difficult to think and express emotions in either language.
The dangers of the term semilingualism are:
1. it locates the origin of this underdevelopment in the internal individual, possession of bilingualism rather than in external, societal factors that co-exist with bilingualism. Thus, the term may be a political rather than a linguistic concept.
2. Many bilinguals use their second language for different purposes and events. A person may be competent in some contexts in a particular language but not in other contexts.
3. The comparison with monolinguals may not be fair.

by **mehmet** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 9:13 pm

Language develops continually. it is not static. In Cyprus Turkish has evolved differently to the mainland as it was not subject to the same reforms Ataturk instituted. My Turkish is less than perfect and my conversations with my mother involve mixed use of Turkish and English.

I say yes to Semilingualism altough I never heard the word before you mentioned it.

by **KELEBEK** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 9:18 pm

So you dont want to be able to speak either English or Turkish (or both) with any degree of fluency?

by **mehmet** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 9:23 pm

It's perfectly possible to do both if you have a talent for languages in the same way an individual might have a talent for understanding how machinery might work. There's too much nonsense equated with language. I don't personally care too much if people think less of me for not being as good at something as they are, there is something I will be better at than they.