Volume: 8  Number: 1  Page: 62–80

Patterns of Language Preference Among Bilingual (Filipino–English) Boys

Heloise Marie L. Ledesma and Robin D. Morris Department of Psychology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA

The pattern of language preference in a simultaneous bilingual (Filipino–English) population was examined, including changes in the pattern of preference over time. Participants were 81 Filipino boys (Mean age=6 years, 2 months) recruited from two schools in the Philippines. A language preference checklist was completed by the parents of the children at the beginning of kindergarten (n=81) and the beginning of first grade (n=58). Factor analysis of the checklist items yielded three language preference factors at kindergarten and two factors at first grade. Findings show that bilingual boys evidence different patterns of language preference across situations, with variability in preference within individuals. Variables that may be influencing the patterns of preference are discussed.

Keywords: bilingual, Filipino, English, language preference

© 2005 H.M.L. Ledesma & R.D. Morris

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