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Receptive Multilingualism and Awareness

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Language Awareness and Multilingualism

Part of the book series: Encyclopedia of Language and Education ((ELE))

Abstract

Receptive multilingualism is a mode of interaction in which speakers with different linguistic backgrounds use their respective preferred languages while understanding the language of their interlocutor. The mechanisms and competences contributing to mutual understanding in this constellation are described by the concept of lingua receptiva (LaRa). Both concepts can refer to interactions in typologically close as well as distant languages (inherent or acquired LaRa) and to interactions where speakers use any language sufficiently understood by their interlocutor. This chapter argues that successful use of lingua receptiva (LaRa) in multilingual contexts both requires and contributes to language awareness. For individual LaRa users, the awareness needed consists of knowledge of the option to use this mode, basic receptive knowledge of the interlocutor’s language, conscious activation of receptive competencies, and sensitivity to the interlocutor’s level of comprehension and problems of reception during interaction. Using LaRa will conversely contribute to the language awareness of individuals, as LaRa forces speakers to consciously and often explicitly apply the required linguistic and interactive skills in practice. To promote successful use of the receptive multilingual mode in society, institutions need to develop explicit language and education policies incorporating LaRa as an independent language mode next to other multilingual modes of communication.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Languages, Literature and Communication & Utrecht Institute of Linguistics (UiL-OTS), Utrecht University, Trans 10, 3512 JK, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Jan D. ten Thije

  2. School of Liberal Arts & Utrecht Institute of Linguistics, Utrecht University, Trans 10, 3512 JK, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Gerda J. Blees

Authors
  1. Gerda J. Blees
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  2. Jan D. ten Thije
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Gerda J. Blees or Jan D. ten Thije .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept Res Methods Education, University of the Basque Country Dept Res Methods Education, Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain

    Jasone Cenoz

  2. UPV/EHU - IKERBASCQUE, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU - IKERBASCQUE, Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain

    Durk Gorter

  3. Faculty of Education, University of Auckland, School of Critic, Auckland, New Zealand

    Stephen May

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© 2016 Springer International Publishing AG

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Blees, G.J., ten Thije, J.D. (2016). Receptive Multilingualism and Awareness. In: Cenoz, J., Gorter, D., May, S. (eds) Language Awareness and Multilingualism. Encyclopedia of Language and Education. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-02325-0_25-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-02325-0_25-2

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-02325-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-02325-0

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference EducationReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Education

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Chapter history

  1. Latest

    Receptive Multilingualism and Awareness
    Published:
    28 December 2016

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-02325-0_25-2

  2. Original

    Receptive Multilingualism and Awareness
    Published:
    08 August 2016

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-02325-0_25-1

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