Multi-competence

Abstract

Recent explorations of second language acquisition (SLA) have expanded the field into the domain of cognitive processing. Cognitive effects of SLA may arise as: (a) a result of how specific languages encode and carve up the perceived world (

), and (b) a result of the psychological mechanisms involved in decision-making ( ). The current paper will synthesise findings from the two domains of enquiry under the theoretical perspective of multi-competence ( ; ). This framework assumes that there is reciprocal influence among all languages in the multi-competent mind, as well as interactions between these languages and non-linguistic cognition. Under this view, the empirical endeavour shifts focus away from how much multilinguals resemble monolinguals of a ‘target language’ and places it instead towards tracing changes in linguistic and cognitive behaviour as a function of a number of variables that characterize the multilingual person, including but not limited to language context of operation, context of acquisition, L2 proficiency, frequency of language use, age of L2 acquisition, etc., that may underpin this change in behaviour.