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Bilingualism for the Minor or the Major? An Evaluative Analysis of Parallel Conceptions in China

Feng, A.

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Authors

A. Feng



Abstract

This paper is an analysis of two conceptions of bilingualism that exist in parallel in China. One is traditional bilingualism referring to the use of a native minority language and standard Chinese by minority groups and the other, seen as bilingualism with modern characteristics, is a modern-day phenomenon in which the majority Han group aspire to produce bilinguals with a strong competence in mother tongue Chinese and a foreign language, primarily English, by using Chinese and the foreign language as mediums of instruction in teaching school subjects. The focus of the analysis is on the latter for the simple reason that current literature on the new phenomenon is mostly available only in Chinese. An equally important aim of this paper is to explore the impact of the new phenomenon on minority education and to examine the reason why this impact is largely ignored in bilingualism discussions, despite obvious consequences with respect to ethnic identity, personality development and academic performance of minority students. Thus, the traditional conception is briefly reviewed at the start.

Citation

Feng, A. (2005). Bilingualism for the Minor or the Major? An Evaluative Analysis of Parallel Conceptions in China. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 8(6), 529-551. https://doi.org/10.1080/13670050508669067

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date 2005-09
Deposit Date Jun 30, 2008
Publicly Available Date Jun 30, 2008
Journal International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism
Print ISSN 1367-0050
Electronic ISSN 1747-7522
Publisher Taylor and Francis Group
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 8
Issue 6
Pages 529-551
DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/13670050508669067
Keywords Additive bilingualism, ‘Favour’ policies, Linguistic fusionism, Minority education, Partial immersion, Superior–inferior mentality.

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