Differences and similarities between and within bilingual settings: Some British data

Abstract

Literature on bilingualism and bilingual education frequently emphasises the dangers of assuming that bilingual situations are much the same. Whilst not dismissing such caution, this study takes attitudinal and linguistic data from two bilingual situations (Welsh/English in North Wales, and Punjabi/English in the north of England) and reports on specific similarities and differences found both between and within these situations. On most variables measured, no differences were found. On others, differences were greater within rather than between the bilingual situations. Research is needed on the roles of and processes involved in a complex network of factors at work: e.g. social, political, cultural.