ABSTRACT
Language brokers may be different from typical bilingual children, making them a unique group to study and to inform theories of language development. Based on evidence from developmental neuroscience, a large portion of brain development is influenced by environmental stimulation and circumstances, such as language brokering. To understand the biological underpinnings of these developments, researchers have begun to examine general cognitive developments in frequent language switcher. Within the literature on the socioemotional development of language brokers, findings have been mixed regarding advantages and disadvantages. Little attention has been given to developing a macroscopic, holistic view of the language broker across childhood and adolescence. Families with low-frequency language brokering duties reported fewer internalizing behaviors based on parental report, higher ethnic belonging and affirmation, and less likelihood to use alcohol, tobacco, or other substances compared to the high-frequency brokers. Language brokering children grow up in unique household environments.
