Welcome to Revise and Resubmit, and this is Weekend Book Review.
Imagine growing up in a home where two languages flow together like a river meeting the sea. One language for school, another for home. One for thinking, another for feeling. Nearly half the world speaks more than one language, yet how often do we stop to ask—what does that really mean?
Penelope Gardner-Chloros has spent a lifetime answering that question. A professor of sociolinguistics, a former conference interpreter, and an expert on language contact, she has explored how bilingualism shapes minds, societies, and histories. In her book Bilingualism, she takes us on a journey through the science and the stories behind speaking multiple languages—how it affects memory, creativity, even the way we see the world.
This book isn’t just about learning two languages; it’s about what happens when languages live side by side. How do bilingual brains work differently? Why do some societies celebrate bilingualism while others resist it? And what does the future of language look like in a world driven by migration and technology?
Through real-life stories, cutting-edge research, and cultural analysis, Bilingualism sheds light on one of humanity’s most common yet misunderstood abilities. So here’s the question: If knowing two languages changes the way we think, does it also change who we are?
Penelope Gardner-Chloros gives us plenty to reflect on, and we thank her for it. If you enjoyed this review, make sure to subscribe to Revise and Resubmit on Spotify, Amazon Prime Music, and Apple Podcasts. And don’t forget to check out our YouTube channel, Weekend Researcher, for more deep dives into the books that make us think. Until next time, keep reading, keep questioning, and keep listening to the voices around you.
Reference
Gardner-Chloros, P. (2025). Bilingualism. The MIT Press. https://doi.org/10.7551/mitpress/15113.001.0001
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