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Janet L. Nicol (ed.), One mind, two languages: Bilingual language processing. Oxford: Blackwell, 2000. Pp. 264. Hb $77.95, Pb $35.95.

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 February 2004

Ellen Bialystok
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario M3J 1P3, [email protected]

Extract

When I have a dinner party, it's a matter of great importance to me that all the places are set with the same tableware. It's the same at a restaurant – a group of people sitting down for dinner should be served on the same dishes. It's neurotic, I know. But aside from some primitive sense of symmetrical comfort, the plates tell you much about the meal that is to follow: Fine porcelain sets expectations of grace and elegance; brightly colored stoneware establishes a casual ambience; and simple plates communicate a utilitarian attitude to the ensuing meal. The form serves as a gatekeeper, announcing at the outset the intended clientele. If a family with small children in search of cheeseburgers and fries wanders by chance into an establishment that places Royal Doulton in front them, they will know instantly that the content will not meet their expectations. Form matters, and content is partly conveyed by the form.

Type
BOOK REVIEW
Copyright
© 2004 Cambridge University Press

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