Discusses childhood bilingualism, reviewing the one person-one language principle and the criticism against it, discussing shortcomings of the criticism, examining what the principle can do to bilingual families, and noting the sociolinguistic and developmental effects that one person-one language principle can have on the acquisition of the…

Social, aptitudinal, and attitudinal factors that influence acquisition of a second language can also have an effect on the subsequent retention of that language. "Retention" is the maintenance or improvement of proficiency in a language following its acquisition. A study by G. Edwards shows that long-term retention of linguistic and…

Examines the bilingual situation in the Federal Republic of Germany where members of a foreign minority, while striving to preserve their own national identity, are compelled to learn another language in order to assimilate into the cultural system of the new homeland. The problems for migrant workers, specifically, are treated. (Author/PJM)