“Why does it matter that we have different types of bilinguals?” My friend’s question made me freeze. I had been talking about the spectrum of bilingualism for years, yet I’d never articulated why it mattered.

The idea of a spectrum might surprise you. Most people think of bilingualism as an either/or proposition: You either sound native in two languages or you are not bilingual. But that narrow definition leaves out millions of people who navigate life in multiple languages, each in their own way. When my friend first asked his question, I gave what I thought was a thoughtful answer: understanding where you fall on the bilingual spectrum gives you a path forward. But with time, I’ve realized the real answer is much simpler and more profound: Understanding different types of bilingualism means not letting language limit you.

A student once told me she understood everything her grandmother said in Spanish but refused to speak it. Why? At a family gathering, an aunt had laughed at her pronunciation in front of everyone. She never tried again.

When we don't acknowledge that bilingualism comes in many shapes, we judge. And that judgment has consequences. Language is deeply tied to identity: When someone criticizes how we speak, it feels like criticism of who we are. For receptive bilinguals especially, who already feel uncertain about their speaking abilities,........

© Psychology Today