Bilingual Language Storage. The Revised Hierarchical Model (PDF)

Seminar paper from the year 2019 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Linguistics, grade: 1,0, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (FTSK), language: English, abstract: In this paper the bilingual language storage and its influence on translation is observed. It will be explored how different models of translation see the language memory storage and bilingual translation and how these models work. Furthermore, it will be analysed how these models were developed, proven and how they are used in translation. Most importantly, the paper will focus on the probably most popular and most important model of language storage and translation: The Revised Hierarchical Model. Based on this model by Kroll and Stewart (1994), it will be analysed how it came to be and how it influenced thinking in translation. Lastly, some negatives about the Revised Hierarchical Model will be explained.

Bilingualism is the occurrence when a person or a whole society is able to speak two different languages. To acquire the status of a Bilingual, one can either grow up with two languages at the same time - e.g. first-generation immigrants speaking their mother tongue at home but speaking and learning another language in school - or studying a second language. The latter can be accomplished at different stages in life and in different environments, e.g. school, language courses, online etc.

Being a Bilingual has helped many people throughout the world. It makes it easier to communicate with others, and it is a very important part of a translator's or an interpreter's life. And, for example, English is the world's most important commercial and trade language. This makes being bilingual necessary for many daily activities in life.