Final answer:
Learning a second language without replacing the first is known as second language acquisition. Efforts to maintain and revitalize languages, such as through bilingual education and programs for indigenous languages, play a critical role in preserving linguistic and cultural diversity. Bilingualism is also valuable in professional fields that serve multilingual communities.
Step-by-step explanation:
When someone learns a second language without replacing his or her original language, it is called second language acquisition. Bilingualism refers to the ability to use two languages fluently, while multilingualism applies to fluency in more than two languages. Language preservation is the effort to preserve, stabilize, and teach a language, especially in the context of languages that are considered endangered or have few speakers left.
Language recovery and revitalization efforts are essential for many Indigenous communities seeking to preserve their knowledge and cultural identities. These efforts include master-apprentice programs and language immersion schools. Unfortunately, historical instances of colonialism and imperialism have led to the endangerment and dormancy of many native languages by forcing assimilation and discouraging the use of indigenous tongues.
Bilingual education plays a significant role in helping immigrants transition to using a new language like English while maintaining their native tongue. In the modern era, globalization poses a threat to linguistic diversity, potentially leading to the loss of many languages by the end of the century. Nevertheless, people like Lucy Alvarez exemplify the professional advantages of maintaining bilingualism, aiding in her pursuit of a career in law enforcement, a field that values multilingual skills.