Quando la dialettofonia è utile metalinguisticamente in italiano. Ricerche in alcune regioni dell'Italia meridionale

This research study explores the relations between Italian / Vernacular bilingualism in primary school children in a Southern region of Italy, Campania. 202 5th graders (m.a.: 10,6 y.) were recruited, subdivided into balanced and non-balanced Italian-vernacular bilinguals and into high and low socio-cultural background groups. They were all administered some subtests of an Italian metalinguistic ability test (TAM-2, Pinto, Candilera, Iliceto, 2003). Results showed that balanced bilinguals, whatever the socio-cultural background, outperformed their non-balanced peers in metalinguistic abilities