Bilingualism and identity - The relationship between language, culture and behavior

Abstract

The article focuses on key theoretical and experimental studies discussing the relationship between bilingualism and identity. Encompassing an extensive body of psychological, linguistic and cultural research of various international authors whose work emphasizes the interdependence between language, culture and behavior, the paper aims to explore the factors that prove and showcase the link between cultural identity and behavior. By defining bilingualism through outlining the differences between simultanious and sequencial acquisition, the article presents the different definitions and opinions on bilingualism. It also reflects on how the socio-cultural environment affects the self-perception and cultural identity of bilinguals based on their emotional response and age of language acquisition. It is particularly important to stress the measurement of Bicultural Identity Integration (BII), as the high and low BII explains the levels of integration of each culture and language in bilinguals. The detailed presentation of important psychological experiments and studies with bilinguals proves the author's position on the direct link between cultural identity, language and behavior, which is particularly important for the prevention of behavioral problems of bilingual children and psychological work with them. The article stresses the importance of conducting further empirical research in order to establish the factors and predispositions contributing to nurturing a bicultural identity in bilinguals, which will assure an integrated, balanced and self-aware personality.