monolingual
One language only
Monolingual describes someone who speaks only one language, or something designed for single-language users: a monolingual dictionary, monolingual English speakers.
The term often appears in contrast to bilingual or multilingual, sometimes with implicit criticism of linguistic limitation: Americans are notoriously monolingual.
speaker
Originating from a place
- fluencySmooth linguistic command
- mother-tongueLanguage acquired from birth
- monoglotSingle-language speaker
- unilingualSpeaking one language only
contrast
One knowing many languages
- plurilingualUsing several languages
- diglossiaCoexisting language varieties, distinct roles
- code-switchingAlternating between linguistic varieties
- immersionState of being submerged
policy
Devotion to one's country
- assimilationAbsorbing into a whole
- standardizationImplementing uniform technical specifications
- anglophoneNative speaker of English
- francophoneNative speaker of French
native
Originating from a place
- fluencySmooth linguistic command
- mother-tongueLanguage acquired from birth
- monoglotSingle-language speaker
polyglot
One knowing many languages
- plurilingualUsing several languages
- diglossiaCoexisting language varieties, distinct roles
- code-switchingAlternating between linguistic varieties
nationalism
Devotion to one's country
- assimilationAbsorbing into a whole
- standardizationImplementing uniform technical specifications
- anglophoneNative speaker of English
- languageword, words, grammar, spelling, alphabet
- dictionariesdictionary, dictionaries, definitions, definition, entries
- Language Wordsverbal, oral, written, spoken, fluent
- mono- wordsmonochrome, monocle, monogram, monolith, monorail
- languagesEnglish, Arabic, Chinese, German, French
- language learningvocabulary lists, lessons, acquisition, basic vocabulary, grammar books
number of languages known
monolingualmultilingual
Knowing multiple languages
bilingual · polyglot · trilingual · plurilingual · polylingual