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The Bilingual Family: A Handbook for Parents
First published in 1986, The Bilingual Family has provided thousands of parents with the information and advice they need to make informed decisions about what language policy to adopt with their children. This second edition contains updated references and new entries to the alphabetical reference guide.
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1986
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 15, 2022
Confused! IQ lower than average! Speech and language problems! Delays in their developments! Learning issues at school!... These prejudices about bilingual children used to be legion. They all have one point in common, though: they deserved to be binned.
The issue wasn't only that these idiocies didn't rely on any serious studies to back them up, but, most importantly, that they were peddled mostly by 'experts' who, themselves, did not have a bilingual childhood!
Edith Garding-Esch and Philip Riley, then, debunk what were once deeply entrenched prejudices (it was first published in the 1980s... I dare believing that we no longer think of bilingual children so!). and offer a small manual targeted to parents, that quickly reveals itself to be very precious (not least because, both authors are members of bilingual families besides being professional linguists).
They don't go too much in depth, but offer enough for anyone -depending on their home situation- to find tips to pick.
The book is divided in two parts. The first one is the most challenging, because it is the technical one (studies, research, child development from a scientific perspective...). It's a purely academic point of view, then, and, so, many, here, may find it 'dry'. The second part is more accessible, as, based on testimonies from very various families (bilingual or polyglots) it offers practical advises and tips to better serve different dynamics.
Again, this was first published in the 1980s. The idiocies it debunked have since been long debunked, yet it doesn't mean that it has become irrelevant. In societies where schools and educational systems are still failing kids when it comes to foreign language learning, it can be very useful to parents willing to support their child picking up the slacks... at home!
The issue wasn't only that these idiocies didn't rely on any serious studies to back them up, but, most importantly, that they were peddled mostly by 'experts' who, themselves, did not have a bilingual childhood!
Edith Garding-Esch and Philip Riley, then, debunk what were once deeply entrenched prejudices (it was first published in the 1980s... I dare believing that we no longer think of bilingual children so!). and offer a small manual targeted to parents, that quickly reveals itself to be very precious (not least because, both authors are members of bilingual families besides being professional linguists).
They don't go too much in depth, but offer enough for anyone -depending on their home situation- to find tips to pick.
The book is divided in two parts. The first one is the most challenging, because it is the technical one (studies, research, child development from a scientific perspective...). It's a purely academic point of view, then, and, so, many, here, may find it 'dry'. The second part is more accessible, as, based on testimonies from very various families (bilingual or polyglots) it offers practical advises and tips to better serve different dynamics.
Again, this was first published in the 1980s. The idiocies it debunked have since been long debunked, yet it doesn't mean that it has become irrelevant. In societies where schools and educational systems are still failing kids when it comes to foreign language learning, it can be very useful to parents willing to support their child picking up the slacks... at home!
December 23, 2010
I loved this book. May be because it was the first book I read on topic, or maybe it hit all the right spots with me. It gave me a piece of mind about my choices and the confidence that I am doing everything the right way.
One thing I loved the most is that there is no one right for everyone type of bilingualism and if you don't achieve it, you fail. There are many roads, many possible goals, and many good outcomes.
Case studies presented in the book allow to have a detailed look into several strategies different families chose - and their results, as the authors revisit and interview grown children.
It's not very detailed or comprehensive book, but I found it very useful in building my own strategy for my son.
One thing I loved the most is that there is no one right for everyone type of bilingualism and if you don't achieve it, you fail. There are many roads, many possible goals, and many good outcomes.
Case studies presented in the book allow to have a detailed look into several strategies different families chose - and their results, as the authors revisit and interview grown children.
It's not very detailed or comprehensive book, but I found it very useful in building my own strategy for my son.
November 30, 2018
Academic and fairly thorough, if quite short. The case studies come in handy when you try to come up with solutions for your own situation. Recommended!
September 4, 2020
This review refers to the 1991 reprint of the 1986 edition by Edith Harding and Philip Riley.
The book is divided into 3 sections:
I. A Survey of the Issues
II. Case Studies
III. An Alphabetical Reference Guide
I remember picking up this book sometime before my child was school age - but long after I had committed our family to a particular method. So the book tended to reinforce my viewpoint of our methodology and add a few tips to the mix.
I liked the layout of the book but agree with other reviewers that too much of the book is spent on this academic survey in part I. On the other hand, I really appreciated Part I Section 3 What You Should Know about Being Bilingual - it was really enlightening.
I found the Case Studies interesting, but the Reference Guide was more helpful.
3 1/2 *
The book is divided into 3 sections:
I. A Survey of the Issues
II. Case Studies
III. An Alphabetical Reference Guide
I remember picking up this book sometime before my child was school age - but long after I had committed our family to a particular method. So the book tended to reinforce my viewpoint of our methodology and add a few tips to the mix.
I liked the layout of the book but agree with other reviewers that too much of the book is spent on this academic survey in part I. On the other hand, I really appreciated Part I Section 3 What You Should Know about Being Bilingual - it was really enlightening.
I found the Case Studies interesting, but the Reference Guide was more helpful.
3 1/2 *
November 24, 2019
An academic treatment of bilingualism with several case studies. I have to admit this was not what I expected from this book, but given how unique each family and their language situation is I understand why more specific advice could not be given. The case studies serve some encouragement though regardless of which end of the spectrum one is: religious about teaching the different languages to the little ones or failing to do so and beating yourself about it. My takeaway from the book each family creates its own language.
June 22, 2024
Only a linguist or a bilingual family member can give you some advice about the rigth way to mannage your family situation. Often we rely for advice on pediatricians or teachers that do not have the competency or training about the complex situation of learning diferent languages at the familiar environment. Nice book.
July 18, 2019
Skvělá kniha o vícejazyčných rodinách a o specifikách výchovy dětí v takových rodinách. Obsahuje 18 případových studií, hodně historek, teorie i rad. Čte se dobře. Řada věcí je tak neznámá a přitom tak samozřejmá, že si při čtení často řeknete, jaktože vás tohle nikdy nenapadlo.
October 4, 2018
This book was dry and not what I expected the topic to be about. The low rating might be due to the high expectation I had
October 24, 2024
Esta edición está un poco dessctualizada, le falta neurociencias. De cualquier manera es muy bueno el libro
May 7, 2017
Interesting! Not for the general reader, though. Although this book does explain the difference between 'folk' and 'elite' bilingualism; I am not sure who would choose to raise their child as a bilingual unless necessity, the greater community, called for it.
I've done/doing it - stressful!
I've done/doing it - stressful!
September 30, 2012
This book was more academic than practical--I found it to be a good deconstruction of the topic of bilingualism itself and the bilingual family dynamic (in that sense, it was aptly named). In terms of its success in providing advice and guidance to families raising children bilingually it was lacking. Frankly, I doubt that most busy parents have time for such a commentary, which provided more information and thought than guidance. It's certainly quite interesting and, at some point, necessary for parents raising their children bilingually to see certain issues from this perspective. But, it wasn't really the get-started guide I was looking for.
October 3, 2012
I was looking for a practical manual to raising bi-lingual children. Tips and tricks, that sort of thing. And so I found myself lagging through the first third of the book. There were a few tips, but most of the information was highly academic. Then AT LAST, came a lot of really, really useful information, as well as detailed descriptions of bilingual families and how they handled their situation. A worth while read for anyone considering raising their children bilingually.
September 5, 2007
Everything you want to know about raising children with two or more languages you can read in this book.
It's really well written. It's really a schematic book. Just like the old days with a school handbook ;-). Except this one is a lot more interesting.
I must say that you can find from the basic about bilingual(e.g. definition) to the final result of bilingual family.
It's really well written. It's really a schematic book. Just like the old days with a school handbook ;-). Except this one is a lot more interesting.
I must say that you can find from the basic about bilingual(e.g. definition) to the final result of bilingual family.
January 23, 2017
The Bilingual Family is particularly insightful in its discussion of receptive bilingualism, its elegant combination of academic and anecdotal discourse, and the extensive consideration given to the numerous ways that language use — and dominance — can change throughout the lifespan, depending on myriad factors.
January 31, 2009
Interesting and helpful, especially to those wanting to raise their children bilingual. I especially liked the explanations on children's language development.
January 18, 2009
I recommend this to anyone raising a bilingual child...
August 25, 2010
a book from master's Dev Psyc class
April 9, 2012
Not really a bilingual 'cookbook', but does give you important pointers and examples when thinking about raising your kids bilingual.
September 27, 2011
nothing new
April 29, 2017
Good intro to the topic, even though it will not give you much guidance.
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October 21, 2017I learned the word for 'snowman' in Swedish.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews