But the benefits do not end there. Psychologists have found that bilingualism is correlated with greater mental flexibility, perhaps because command of two symbolic systems provides more than one way to approach a problem. Help with identity conflicts. Becoming proficient in the heritage language can assist young people struggling with ethnic ambivalence, or negative attitudes toward their own culture. It enables them not only to explore their roots and associate more closely with fellow speakers of the language, but also to overcome feelings of alienation with a sense of pride in their community.
Communication is crucial to family relationships.
When immigrants are limited in English, they must rely entirely on the heritage language to pass on values, advice, and traditions to their children. Yet many immigrant youth tend to rely primarily on English, losing skills in their parents or grandparents only medium of expression. In such cases, neither generation can make itself understood. 5 Career advantages. As our marketplace becomes globalized and our population more diverse, bilingualism and biliteracy are valued increasingly by employers.