Different Languages, different personalities?

I was a little bit reluctant to start a post with a title like this. However, this is a topic that people ARE usually interested in. After the whole dated Sapir-Whorf discussion as to how (and if) language shapes thought, here's an interesting way to look at the issue: maybe the syntax of the languages involved gives you the impression that the person is more assertive, more elusive, less tactful, etc. It is definitely worth reading it. Do different languages confer different personalities?

Neurosciência e Aprendizagem: menos crendices e mais sinapses

Essa matéria sobre neurociência traz muita luz à concepção de aprendizagem (até recentemente quase baseada em 'pensamento positivo' e programação neurolinguística - esta última, a meu ver, uma versão "chique" de lavagem cerebral que usurpa o nome da real NEUROlinguística). Não acredito em aprendizagem como uma entidade metafísica, divina, mágica, com cara de autoajuda. Aprendizagem é uma questão de sinapses. Graças à neurociência, hoje podemos desmistificar tantas inverdades e incorreções ditas há décadas por estudiosos da área de aprendizagem, que hoje estão indiscutivelmente ultrapassados, mas que ainda continuam a assombrar as teorias de aprendizagem, por conta de seus seguidores extremistas e desinformados. Sim, já fui chamado de positivista, e isso não me incomoda. Positivista ou não, há questões reais tratadas e abordadas pela ciência, e que deixam o subjetivismo em segundo plano. Essa matéria sem dúvida é uma porta de entrada para o assunto, ao tratar de questões de memória, sinapses, desenvolvimento e até mesmo a "subjetiva" noção de confiança. Recomendo. Neurociência e aprendizagem

Hints for parents raising a child bilingually

This is an interesting site I found on a friend's page. The tips the mothers came up with are nice and empirical. Definitely worth reading it.

Filhos bilíngues

Do bilingual children NECESSARILY start speaking later?

Recently I have been to congresses and conferences in which the well-established view that bilingual children ALWAYS start speaking late might constitute a fallacy. No one has presented a paper on it, but I came across this article by a researcher interested in the matter. I highly recommend reading it. I also found out through observation of bilingual children that there are SOME (yes, some!) processes of language development. Some kids will start babbling, producing sounds, syllables and then words, others will start humming and will bring in words later.The process is not so cut-and-dry... Click on the link to the article:

bilingualism and language delay

I also recommend reading this Q-A between a specialist in bilingualism and a concerned teacher. The context is that the language delay might be connected to bilingualism and the concern seems to be: "is it language delay or autism?"
Before reading the article, it is important to make it clear to all: there is NO EVIDENCE whatsoever that bilingualism or multilingualism CAUSE language disorders such as autism (which is genetically driven). I have not yet come across any studies which show such evidence. Any "opinions" by professionals connecting language disorders to bilingualism results from sheer lack of information. ALWAYS look for a second opinion, preferably from a professional who understands the context of bilingualism/multilingualism.

Bilingualism and language disorders

Pesquisas em Bilinguismo e Aquisição de L2 - UNIFESP

Aos alunos e interessados que escreveram no blog perguntando sobre cursos e grupos de estudo, informo que iniciarei um grupo de estudos "Pesquisas em Bilinguismo e Aquisição de Língua Dois" (PeBALD) na Universidade Federal de São Paulo em 01 de março de 2013. Os encontros devem ocorrer sempre na 1a sexta de todo mês às 18h. Os interessados em participar, por favor escrevam para mim no email marcello.unifesp@gmail.com

Phonemic Sounds

Here is a nice site to listen to the sounds of both British and American English. The symbols used are those of the IPA.

http://www.antimoon.com/how/pronunc-soundsipa.htm

Changing a First Language Permanently

Is it possible to change one's first language? What are the implications? In order to approach such a question, one needs to have a clear definition of mother tongue, first language, second language, stronger language, dominant language, etc. If you feel interested, see what Grosjean has to say about it.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/life-bilingual/201210/changing-first-language-permanently

The Psycholinguistics of Bilingualism

Here's the link to an excellent blog with very relevant issues on bilinguals and language acquisition from a psycholinguistic point of view. François Grosjean, a most renowned researcher in the area, addresses questions that we all have asked ourselves, as either bilinguals or researchers.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/life-bilingual/201210/the-psycholinguistics-bilingualism