bilingualism

[ bahy-ling-gwuh-liz-uhmor, Canadian, -ling-gyoo-uh- ]

noun

1. the ability to speak two languages fluently.
2. the habitual use of two languages.
3. (in Canada) a national policy supporting the use of both official languages (French and English) by various means, such as mandatory bilingual product labeling, compulsory teaching of both languages in schools, the guarantee of publicly funded schools in the minority official language where numbers warrant, and the delivery of government services in both languages.

Word History and Origins

Origin of bilingualism¹

First recorded in 1870–75; bilingual + -ism

Example Sentences

He said we should look to other countries "where bilingualism is normal".

From BBC

The journal Behavioral Science reports that "Even late-life foreign language learning without lifelong bilingualism can train cognitive flexibility," a balm to those of us with concerns about our aging brains.

From Salon

Song infuses “Past Lives” with an effortless bilingualism, switching between Korean and English throughout the film, and eventually including both in the same scenes.

From Los Angeles Times

“We use language in all aspects of daily life, so a bilingual brain is constantly working,” a professor at Western Sydney University in Australia who specializes in bilingualism said.

From New York Times

She said she believed parents within east Belfast wanted integrated Irish medium education so their children could be educated together but "also have the benefits of bilingualism".

From BBC

More About Bilingualism

What does bilingualism mean?

Bilingualism is the ability to speak or understand two languages or the regular use of two languages.

The adjective bilingual is most commonly used to describe someone who can speak or understand two languages, especially with some level of fluency. It can also be used to describe things that involve or that are written or spoken in two languages, as in These instructions are bilingual—they’re written in English and Spanish.

The similar terms trilingualism and multilingualism are used in the same way, with trilingualism indicating the use of three languages and multilingualism indicating the use of more than two and especially several languages. Monolingualism refers to the use of only one language.

In Canada, bilingualism is used in a more specific way to refer to a government-supported program to encourage all citizens to learn both English and French.

Example: Our kids’ school supports bilingualism both for students with two natives languages and students who are learning a second language.

Where does bilingualism come from?

The first records of the word bilingualism come from the 1870s. It’s composed of bi-, meaning “two,” lingual, which means “pertaining to languages,” and -ism, indicating the practice of something. Lingual shares a root with other language-related words, like linguistics and linguaphile.

Bilingualism typically refers to the regular use of two languages, such as by people in a particular place, such as a region or country. Countries are often described as bilingual when they have two official or widely used languages. Canada is often called a bilingual country since both English and French are widely spoken in certain places, though of course many other languages are spoken there, including many different Indigenous languages.

Bilingualism can also refer to the ability of a bilingual person. Some people who are bilingual may be masters of both of the languages they speak. But bilingualism can also involve a person who’s not fluent in the second language.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to bilingualism?

• bilingual (adjective)

What are some synonyms for bilingualism?

• bilinguality

What are some words that share a root or word element with bilingualism? 

• trilingualism
• monolingualism

What are some words that often get used in discussing bilingualism?

• benefit
• two
• language
• speaker
• speak
• communication
• writing

How is bilingualism used in real life?

The word bilingualism is commonly used in the context of education and discussions of its benefits.

Q9: How can teachers support the #language needs of all learners while promoting bilingualism for all? #EarlyEdChat #earlyed

— MomsRising (@MomsRising) August 20, 2015

The evidence for bilingualism having cognitive benefits beyond the ability to speak another language is very poor, but I'll tell you this: I've never ever met anyone who regretted being bilingual. I've met many people, however, who regret that they're not.

— Gareth Roberts (@garicgymro) August 22, 2018

In 1963, Miami’s Spanish-speaking immigrant community was growing. Pioneering Bilingualism (Bilingüismo Pionero) is a bilingual, virtual exhibit that celebrates Coral Way Elementary's bilingual program.

Access the exhibit here: https://t.co/xislKirUmJ pic.twitter.com/MCUgvKoWFc

— UF Latin American and Caribbean Collection (@uflacc) June 26, 2020

 

 

Try using bilingualism!

Is bilingualism used correctly in the following sentence?

In some places where bilingualism is common, the street signs are in two different languages.