Category: Dialect

A dialect is a variety of a language used in a specific region or by a specific group of people (also called a sociolect). Sometimes dialects are seen as subordinate or inferior to the standard language. However, all languages and dialects have a sufficient vocabulary as well as rule-governed syntax and morphology. Linguistically speaking, all dialects are equally valid for the purposes of communication.

Reading Development Module 8: Bilingual Considerations

Leaders Project

Stephanie Downey Toledo is a bilingual speech language pathologist in New York City as well as a professor at Teachers College, Columbia University. She has collaborated with the LEADERS project on this module series and others.
It is important to distinguish between language difference and disorder. This holds true with reading. As SLPs it is important to consider whether a student’s reading development is being impeded by a disability or a language difference. What are the main factors affecting student success? Is it a difference in literacy instruction or content/ background knowledge? What has the student’s language acquisition looked like in both languages? How might socio-economic and cultural status be affecting reading development? When possible, we should support bilingual reading development.