The paradigms of marginality

The acquisition of English in its various functions and canons is now a major motivation for the increase in multilingualism around the world. This paper addresses the responses and reactions to this linguistic reality and varied perceptions about it. It argues that most linguists have marginalized multilingualism and neglected to face the complexities of multilinguals’ language behavior, being reluctant to modify, reformulate, and reassess our favorite paradigms of language acquisition, linguistic creativity, language function, and language contact. The result of this attitude is the paradigms of marginality. The study elaborates on three paradigms of marginality and concludes that we must be cynical about our cherished views and attitudes toward world Englishes. This discussion of the paradigms of marginality may help to purge this academic intransigence.