2023/11/27 by Yerian, Keli D., Yiamkis, Connor, Baldwin, Jarrid
paper · doi:10.7275/kbvs-rc29
This chapter explores a multicompetence approach to awaken dormant languages which allows learners to strategically use their dominant language(s) to facilitate learning their ancestral, target, language (Hirata-Edds & Peter, 2016). A multicompetence approach acknowledges the supportive role dominant languages can play in reawakening endangered languages with specific domains of use reserved exclusively for the more vulnerable target language (Garcia, 2009; Cenoz & Gorter, 2017; Bommelyn & Tuttle, 2018; Zahir, 2018). The longer-term goal can be to expand the target language beyond these domains while allowing the previously dominant language to remain welcome as a scaffold when needed. This approach views multilingualism as a holistic practice that promotes the goal of awakening a dormant language and avoids the stigma of codemeshing in language learning. This chapter first introduces current work in multicompetence and translanguaging approaches to language learning with particular focus on endangered and dormant language revitalization. We then describe two current examples that embrace multicompetence as a path to full bilingualism. Our first example describes the case of Myaamia language revitalization efforts (Baldwin et al., 2013) and our second example describes more recent initial efforts to revive the Ótissi language in Northern California (Yiamkis, 2020). The chapter concludes with some reflections on factors language activists may want to consider when evaluating whether this approach will be useful for them.