Multilinguals are...?

1. It's a multilingual world, but multilinguals are the odd ones out

2. Multilinguals must have balanced languages, but one of them must be dominant

3. Multilinguals must develop one main language, but that won't let them develop other languages

4. Multilinguals have no mother tongue, because they are not native speakers of any language

5. Multilinguals can learn new languages easily, but only in childhood

6. Multilingual competence means erasing signs of multilingualism from the speech of multilinguals

7. Multilinguals don't have many languages, they have many half-languages

8. Becoming multilingual is both a drain and a strain on your brain

9. Growing up multilingual is no problem, provided you seek clinical assistance

10. In order to raise multilingual children, you must speak to them in only one language

11. Multilingualism should be encouraged, but only in languages that matter

12. Multilinguals are multilinguals because they are gifted for languages

13. Multilingualism is a boon, but also a bane, or vice versa

What are we talking about, really??

Introducing Yuti

Illustration Credits

"Multilinguals are people who use several languages in their everyday life. Attitudes towards them are very diverse: some consider them gifted or unusually intelligent, while others fear that they are not fully competent in any one language. This can lead to conflicting advice about multilingualism at home, in school, and elsewhere, particularly nowadays when awareness about multilinguals is growing wherever several languages are used, from London and Amsterdam to New York and California. This is the first book which discusses, in lay terms, the reasons behind the beliefs and myths traditionally associated with multilinguals. It is written for the general public and is relevant for families, teachers, and everyone else who ever wondered about multilingualism. The style is light, often witty, but is founded on a thorough knowledge of all the solid academic research on this subject." (Book Cover)