Bilingualism and Metalinguistic Awareness: Language Comprehension Abilities in Bilingual Individuals

Abstract

Bilingualism has been a subject of extensive research in cognitive science, psycholinguistics, and neuroscience due to its significant impact on language processing and cognitive abilities. This study examines the relationship between bilingualism and metalinguistic awareness, focusing on how bilingual individuals develop superior language comprehension skills compared to monolinguals. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, incorporating quantitative assessments of linguistic abilities and qualitative insights from bilingual speakers. Results suggest that bilingual individuals exhibit enhanced metalinguistic awareness, leading to greater linguistic flexibility and cognitive control. Additionally, findings indicate that bilingualism positively affects executive functions and working memory. The study contributes to ongoing discussions on bilingual education, cognitive advantages, and the neurological underpinnings of language processing. These findings have implications for educational policies and language acquisition theories, emphasizing the benefits of fostering bilingualism in early childhood education.