Two languages= Una pasión

 

Goal: 

The blog aims to provide inclusive and educational content in both languages, making it accessible to everyone.

Do you know the difference between being bilingual and bicultural?

First, is important to know the definition of the two concepts. 

Bilingual, in the Cambridge dictionary, bilingual means "able to use two languages equally well". 

It pertains to the ability to comprehend, speak, read, and write in two different languages. This can be attained in various ways and contexts, such as learning both languages at an early age.

On the other hand, bilingual in the Colombian context, the meaning of bilingualism is a person who speaks Spanish (as its mother tongue) and speaks English. 

However, Bicultural, in the Cambridge dictionary means" belonging to, representing or understanding two different cultures. The text appears to describe an individual or a group of people who have a dual identity and cultural experience.  

What is the difference between both?👀

Biculturalism involves comprehension, appreciation, and active participation in two cultures, while bilingualism focuses on the ability to speak two languages.

For example: 

Bilingual person: A Colombian person whose native language is Spanish, but due to work reasons, learns English or French. This person, because of their profession (International Business), needs to know different languages due to the environment they are involved in.

 Bicultural person: A person who lived for 15 years in Barrancabermeja, Santander, and due to work reasons, moves to Nariño, Pasto, and continues to live there for the rest of their life. In this case, they have been Santandereano and have the customs and traditions from their homeland, but they arrive at new ways of life and adapt.

 Person who is both bicultural and bilingual: A person belonging to the Arawak culture, which has its domain in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, goes out into civilization for better opportunities. They spend 10 years living in Santander, where they adopt customs and learn the language, as their family's language was different. They continue to carry with them what they learned during their time in their homeland, including their language.

We can also refer to someone who has lived in Spain for 20 years and must move to Great Britain, where the language is English. Not only must they know and learn the language, but they will also adopt the customs of the place where they are going to live.

Conclusions: 

In short, we can be bilingual and bicultural at the same time, respecting both our language and our culture, being empathetic, inclusive and valuing the quality of language proficiency of others, and prioritizing intercultural, focusing on bringing society and the environment education to a state of tolerance and understanding. 

 We conclude that in the future we will be capable teachers and we will be able to direct students to accept and appreciate cultural diversity, without losing their essence and mastering different languages to communicate with the people around them. 

Finally, we can reach the case that a student focuses on being bilingual but does not want to betray his culture, so he will not be bicultural, in this case, we can help the student with teaching materials and neutral programs, in this way respecting his culture and learn new languages without leaving aside their native customs, norms and values