Context, Intersectionality, and Resilience: Moving Toward a More Holistic Study of Bilingualism in Cognitive Science

Objective: Bilingual experiences are diverse, vibrant, and multidimensional. Yet, prior research has often homogenized bilingualism and based outcomes upon monolingual norms. Framing monolinguals as the norm distorts the reality of bilingual experiences. To promote a more diverse and inclusive study of bilingualism, we propose a theoretical and methodological paradigm shift. Bilinguals exist in different networks, cultural contexts, and individual and societal settings, all of which may lead to differential cognitive and linguistic outcomes that will be lost if left unexamined. Bilingual interactional contexts occur within extensive environmental and ecological systems, and may lead to different outcomes based on experiences within these systems. We seek to recognize these interactional contexts and how, as researchers, we can strive to better understand the complexities of bilingual populations. Method: We propose incorporating more diverse theoretical frameworks-including raciolinguistics, an intersectional resiliency perspective, and an ecological approach-so that researchers can begin to think about how bilingual experiences are shaped before study participants enter the lab. Included also are methodological considerations that will improve our understanding of bilinguals' intersectional experiences. We offer suggestions for becoming more diverse and inclusive in our research. Conclusion: We encourage scientists to take a more holistic and nuanced approach to understanding how individual and contextual factors affect our study populations. Public Significance Statement Bilingual experiences are not uniform. Understanding the diversity of bilingual experiences will contribute to our understanding of human language and cognition.

Automated summary

This study proposes a paradigm shift in theory and methodology to promote a more diverse and inclusive study of bilingualism. Bilingual experiences are not uniform, and individual and contextual factors impact research subjects. Understanding the diversity of bilingual experiences is crucial for advancing our knowledge of human language and cognition.