Multilingual Is M
Multilingual Is M
Multilingualism:
The term multilingualism is derived from two Latin words namely
“multi” that means many and “lingua” that means language. Thus,
multilingualism is referred to as the ability of a speaker to express
himself or herself in several languages with equal and native like
proficiency. However, it has been realized in both the written and verbal
communicative practices that proficiency in one language usually tends
to dominate in a multilingual set up as compared to the others.
Multilingualism can also be regarded as the co-existence of several
languages within a society. These several languages can be official or
unofficial, native or foreign and national or international. Now not
everyone who can speak in several languages can called a multilingual
person but their name changes based on the number of the languages
that a person knows for instance a person who is able to speak in two
languages is called a bilingual person and a person who is able to speak
in three languages is called trilingual while a person who is able to speak
in more than three languages is called multilingual and the most rare one
is polyglot when someone with a high degree of proficiency in five or
more languages.
2. Geography:
The choice is a relatively uncommon reason for becoming
multilingual, however. Geography plays a bigger role, worldwide. In
many areas of the world small regions are home to several disparate
groups speaking different languages, and being able to function in
daily life often means having to learn a second or third language.
3. Migration:
Obviously, when you move to another country altogether, you will
have to learn to speak the dominant language of that country if you
want to take part in society. Migration accounts for a very large
proportion of multilinguals, in fact, though many of them do not
become fluent so much as simply capable in their adopted language,
and still use their native language at home.