Multilingualism is an interdisciplinary phenomenon that can be studied from both an individual and a societal perspective. This study was descriptive phenomenological in nature that utilized qualitative approach to describe and understand multilingualism from the perspectives and lived experiences of the multilingual research participants through a one-on-one interview. Anchored on the theory of Behaviorism, Cognitivism, and Interactionism, this study was pursued to present and discuss the nature and characteristics of the research participants’ mother tongue and subsequent languages, their language attitude to these languages, the factors that shaped their being multilingual speech community or speakers, the advantages and disadvantages of being multilinguals, and the elements of multilingualism that can be inferred from these facts. Based on the findings of the study, the research participants from Mindanao State University-Marawi, Philippines could speak and/or understand at least four (4) languages, among these were Meranaw, Bisaya, Tausug, Tagalog, English, Sinama(l), Ilokano, Arabic, Yakan, Waray, Ilonggo, Bahasa, Maguindanaon, Urdu, Bangla, and Bol-anon. Moreover, they expressed varied attitudes towards their languages, and shared their lived experiences of the advantages and disadvantages of being multilinguals. Finally, the implications of their multilingual identity to multilingualism have also been identified and explained. To note, the effect of multilingualism to culture is just parallel to that of the effect of culture to multilingualism. Both have positive, as well as negative effects to each other hence, multilingualism builds a stronger identity but if improperly used, destroys humanity.

Authors:
Sharifa Sittie Zehanie Kabirun, Mindanao State University, Philippines

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Sharifa Sittie Zehanie Kabirun is a University Associate Professor/Senior Lecturer at Mindanao State University-Main Campus, Marawi City in Philippines

See this presentation on the full schedule – Saturday Schedule

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