ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the intersection of studies related to picturebooks and multilingual picturebooks with research in linguistics, language/second language acquisition, and literacy learning. Multilingual picturebooks support readers in several ways. First, they allow readers to transfer literacy skills and concepts developed in one language to another. Next, multilingual picturebooks offer practice in repeated reading, which facilitates comprehension and reinforces the way print works. Multilingual books also encourage readers to compare and contrast texts and develop metalinguistic ability, noticing different features and structures in languages. Publication of multilingual picturebooks varies from country to country and region to region, and reflects economic, political, and sociocultural issues. A common type of multilingual picturebook is the interlingual book, with text in one language interspersed with words/phrases from one or more other languages. A significant part of the format of multilingual picturebooks is the visual dimension. Multilingual picturebooks are an excellent means to encourage intercult.
