Nasser Rashidi - Shiraz University
Sarah Torabian - Shiraz University

This study looks closely at the acquisition of early bilingualism in English and Persian The purpose of this longitudinal case study is to analyze the language processes and speech patterns of a Persian- English-speaking two-year-old girl named M. M has been exposed to and has learned both languages simultaneously since she was born. Family composition played an immense role in the language the parents used with their child and the language the child chose to speak. Audio and video recordings, note-taking, and the participant/informal observer procedure were used to examine the types of Persian/English code-switching. The data was collected primarily from recordings of M’s interaction with her mother and grandmother. The audio/videotapes were used to obtain the most accurate information regarding language acquisition and linguistic speech patterns. The audio/videotapes were transcribed to ensure accuracy prior to coding them for analysis. Transcription methods included transcribing all of the audio/videotapes of M’s speech word for word. Lexical switches including nouns, verbs, and adjectives were the most susceptible to code-switching. In addition, nouns and adjectives were code-switched more than verbs because of the simplicity of Persian verbs. M codeswitched depending on the language abilities of the interlocutor. There was association between M’s code-switching and the topics of conversation. It was found that the proportion of intrasentential codeswitching was used more than intersentential code-switching and that lexical development tended to be more expressive than referential. A high aptitude to deal with unfamiliar words in both languages was detected. Negative transfer of Persian bounds on English nouns and verbs was also seen. This study is expected to support parents and teachers of bilingual children in understanding, assisting or facilitating language acquisition.

bilingualism, infant, language acquisition, language learning, dual language learning, Persian, English, code switching