monolingual

[ mon-uh-ling-gwuhlor, Canadian, -ling-gyoo-uhl ]

adjective

1. knowing or able to use only one language; monoglot.
2. spoken or written in only one language.

noun

1. a monolingual person.

monolingual

/ ˌmɒnəʊˈlɪŋɡwəl /

adjective

1. knowing or expressed in only one language

noun

1. a monolingual person

Other Words From

• mono·lingual·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of monolingual¹

First recorded in 1950–55; mono- + lingual

Example Sentences

In a country that has been largely mono-ethnic and monolingual since the end of World War II, Mr. Tusk stands out as a man of eclectic identities, interests and linguistic talents.

From New York Times

Working with monolingual and bilingual members of the Tsimane', the researchers asked people to perform two different tasks.

From Science Daily

Worse, most eating disorder specialists are monolingual English speakers, meaning family therapy sessions — the gold standard for anorexia nervosa — are eaten up by an interpreter volleying information back and forth to her parents in Spanish.

From Los Angeles Times

Andrade, he added, “had a huge role in facing the fact that this is not a true monolingual country.”

From New York Times

In an interview, De León spokesman Pete Brown said his boss is determined to represent his district, which has a significant share of low-income households and monolingual Spanish speakers.

From Los Angeles Times

More About Monolingual

What does monolingual mean?

Monolingual is used to describe someone who can speak or understand only one language.

It can also mean written in, spoken in, or involving only one language.

Monolingual is often used in contrast with terms like bilingual (able to speak two languages), trilingual (able to speak three languages), and multilingual (able to speak more than two and especially several languages).

The ability to speak or understand only one language or the regular use of only one language is called monolingualism.

Example: One of my great regrets is being monolingual and not learning another language when I was younger.

Where does monolingual come from?

The word monolingual is composed of mono-, meaning “one” or “single,” and lingual, which means “pertaining to languages.” Lingual shares a root with other language-related words, like linguistics and linguaphile.

Monolingual is usually used in a context that contrasts speaking only one language with speaking two or more. In education, monolingual instruction may be contrasted with bilingual or multilingual instruction. Similarly, linguists may study the benefits of raising a child in a bilingual environment as opposed to a monolingual one. To become bilingual, you don’t necessarily need to master a second language. A person might be described—or describe themselves—as bilingual even if they’re not fluent in the second language.

A country may be described as monolingual if it has only one official or widely used language.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to monolingual?

• monolingually (adverb)
• monolingualism (noun)

What are some synonyms for monolingual?

• monoglot

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

• bilingual
• trilingual
• multilingual

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

• one
• language
• speaker
• speak
• communication
• writing

How is monolingual used in real life?

Monolingual is often used in contrast with terms like bilingual and multilingual.

I'm going to point out that most people who "correct" my (Insert language name) are monolingual.

— Remy Attig, PhD (@RemyAttig) July 1, 2020

I hate when I get emails from people using my biped script and they apologize for subpar English. They shouldn't feel bad. If anything, I should apologize for being monolingual.

— Matty D. (@mattrified) July 2, 2020

Congrats alum Dr. @GalanteAngelica, recipient of OISE's Leithwood Award for her doctoral thesis that shows plurilingual instruction—an approach where students may use their primary languages—is more effective than monolingual instruction in second language education. Well done! pic.twitter.com/WNj7vs3BGu

— OISEUofT (@OISEUofT) September 11, 2019

 

 

Try using monolingual!

Is monolingual used correctly in the following sentence?

Instructions used to be monolingual, but now they usually come in several languages.