Work

Linguistic Distance: A Quantitative Measure of the Distance Between English and Other Languages

Year: 2005

Type: article

Abstract: This paper develops a scalar or quantitative measure of the distance between English anda myriad of other (non-native American) languages. This measure is based on the difficultyAmericans have learning other languages. The linguistic distance measure is then used in ananalysis of the determinants of English language proficiency among adult immigrants in theUnited States and Canada. It is shown that, when other determinants of English languageproficiency are the same, the greater the measure of linguistic distance, the poorer is therespondents English language proficiency. This measure can be used in research,evaluation and practitioner analyses, and for diagnostic purposes regarding linguisticminorities in English-speaking countries. The methodology can also be applied to developlinguistic distance measures for other languages.

Source: Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development

DOI: 10.1080/14790710508668395

Authors: Barry R. Chiswick, Paul W. Miller

Institutions: IZA - Institute of Labor Economics, University of Illinois Chicago, The University of Western Australia

Language: English

Topic: Multilingual Education and Policy

Subfield: Linguistics and Language

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W3122547419

FWCI: 32.62

Cites: 22

Cited by: 432

Related to: 10