Bilingualism and Cognition


What is intelligence?
Intelligence is defined as the innate or acquired ability to learn, reason and understand.  IQ tests have been deemed unfair for various reasons.  First, IQ tests correlate to middle class, white, Western views of intelligence and are culturally limited (Baker, 2011). According to Gardner (2003) there are different types of intelligences; logical-mathematical, verbal-linguistic, visual-spatial, musical-rhythmical, bodily-kinesthetic, naturalist, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and existentialist. Recent attention has also been given to emotional intelligence. It is, therefore, questionable to measure these intelligences by a simple pencil and paper IQ test which requires a single, acceptable, correct solution to each question. In examining the relationship between intelligence and bilingualism, language was the second problem identified with IQ tests. Testing bilinguals in English (weaker language) will have unfavorable results. Statistical significance was also a concern when comparing monolingual and bilingual groups. Early research was using simple averages when analyzing these tests. The basis for the classification of people as bilinguals was unclear. The term itself is ambiguous causing results to be simplistic and ambiguous as well. Results should not be generalized either, it should be strictly limited to the sample population. Language and cultural environment should be considered in the research. Negative impacts on findings have been related to minority language groups in subtractive environments. This means that the bilinguals first language is in danger of being replaced. Finally Baker (2011) stressed the importance of the two groups being compared to be equal in all aspects such as age, gender, socioeconomic status, etc., except bilingualism and monolingualism. 

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