Elite and Folk Bilingualism: The Hidden Divide in Multilingualism
Introduction
Not all bilinguals are viewed equally. Some are praised for their linguistic abilities, while others face discrimination for speaking more than one language. This contrast is at the heart of the divide between elite bilingualism and folk bilingualism, a distinction that reveals how language is often intertwined with social class, privilege, and power.
Understanding this distinction is essential for educators, policymakers, and families raising multilingual children. Without this awareness, we risk perpetuating language hierarchies that undermine the value of many multilingual communities.
What Is Elite Bilingualism?
Elite bilingualism refers to individuals who acquire additional languages through formal education, travel, or professional opportunities. These bilinguals typically come from privileged backgrounds and often speak high-status languages like English, French, or Mandarin. Their multilingual skills are celebrated as assets, giving them advantages in international careers, education, and global mobility.
Examples include:
Business executives fluent in multiple languages due to corporate needs.
Children of diplomats and professionals attending international schools.
Students who study foreign languages in prestigious institutions.
These bilinguals are rarely questioned about their language abilities or encouraged to drop their home languages. Instead, they are seen as cosmopolitan, highly skilled, and adaptable.
What Is Folk Bilingualism?
In contrast, folk bilingualism refers to individuals who grow up speaking multiple languages due to migration, minority status, or community needs. These bilinguals often learn their languages informally at home and may face pressure to abandon their mother tongue in favor of the majority language.
Examples include:
Children of immigrant families who speak their heritage language at home but are expected to use only the majority language at school.
Indigenous communities whose languages are marginalized in favor of national languages.
Refugees who must learn a new language for survival but see their home language devalued.
Unlike elite bilinguals, folk bilinguals often experience linguistic discrimination. Their multilingualism is sometimes viewed as a deficit rather than an asset, and they may be pressured to assimilate into monolingual norms.
The Consequences of Language Hierarchies
The distinction between elite and folk bilingualism has real consequences for individuals and societies:
Educational Disparities – Schools often support elite bilingual programs (such as immersion schools for English or French) while underfunding programs for heritage languages spoken by immigrant communities.
Language Loss – Many families drop their heritage languages under societal pressure, believing it will help their children succeed in the dominant language.
Cognitive and Emotional Impact – Children from folk bilingual backgrounds may struggle with identity and self-esteem if their home language is seen as a hindrance rather than an asset.
Professional Barriers – Some bilinguals receive job advantages due to speaking prestigious languages, while others face discrimination for speaking minority languages.
Challenging the Divide
If we want to promote true multilingualism, we must challenge these biases and value all forms of bilingualism equally. Some key steps include:
Recognizing All Languages as Valuable: Every language carries cultural and cognitive benefits, and no language should be dismissed as inferior.
Supporting Heritage Language Education: Schools should provide resources for maintaining and developing home languages, just as they do for foreign language instruction.
Challenging Workplace Language Discrimination: Employers should recognize the benefits of diverse linguistic backgrounds and avoid penalizing speakers of minority languages.
Educating Families and Communities: Parents need support in maintaining heritage languages without feeling that they are harming their children’s future prospects.
Conclusion
Multilingualism is an asset, whether it arises from privilege or necessity.
However, until we break down the biases that separate elite and folk bilingualism, many multilingual individuals will continue to face discrimination.
Raising awareness of this issue can help shift policies and attitudes toward a more inclusive view of bilingualism.
Want to explore this topic further?
Delve deeper into these ideas in my book, Watch Your Language, Mom!, where I discuss the myths and realities of multilingual parenting and education.
References
Guerrero, C. H. (2008). Elite vs. folk bilingualism: The mismatch between theories and educational and social conditions. HOW Journal, 15(1), 165-179.