1. Of, including, or expressed in several languages: a multilingual dictionary.
2. Using or having the ability to use several languages: a multilingual translator.
I don’t think that I have heard the noun "multilinguist" before!
I didn’t find it here at yourdictionary.com, but I did find it here.
Personally, it sounds funny to me. I prefer the adjective form "multilingual."
Greek was another of those languages whose word for language originally meant "tongue," like French "langue," Spanish "lengua," and Russian "jazyk." Even we speak of the mother tongue. Greek also used "glossa" to refer to tongues and languages,...
In Hebrew we say ‘lashon’ which means both "language/tongue", but more commonly we use ‘safa’, which means "language/lip".
[quote author=Sitran link=board=todays;num=1078605541;start=0#1 date=03/06/04 at 16:56:11]I don’t think that I have heard the noun "multilinguist" before!
...
Personally, it sounds funny to me. I prefer the adjective form "multilingual."
Funny, because ‘lingual’ also sounds funny to me, whereas ‘linguist’ is a very common term…
Funny, because ‘lingual’ also sounds funny to me, whereas ‘linguist’ is a very common term…
Monolingual, but monolinguist?
Bilingual , but bilinguist?
Without trying to belabor or put too fine a point here.
To me a "multilinguist" would be anyone who studies several languages (ie their syntax, phonology, semantics), but that may or may not have fluency in all of them.
A "multilingual" person would be one that speaks several languages, but does not necessarily have a conscious, studied grasp of the grammar of any of them.
Definition 1 of Stargazer’s is what the word "Linguist" meant about 100 years ago when Maximilian Berlitz founded the international chain of language learning schools. Multilinguist means that now, along with Polyglot, and is what would be called a "neologism". At least that’s my take on it. Thanks for all your responses.
Definition 1 of Stargazer’s is what the word "Linguist" meant about 100 years ago when Maximilian Berlitz founded his international chain of language learning schools. Multilinguist means that now, along with Polyglot, and is what would be called a "neologism". At least that’s my take on it. Thanks to all who responded!
Nice to see you have a sense of humor, Tim.
Yes, the library is a wonderful tax-supported institution.
Actually, my parents have a home computer but the problem is they seem to want me to be doing "practical" stuff on it. At the library, it’s my choice guy!
To qualify as a polyglot, how many languages should you know and how well?
Don’t ask me how (if?) I define a "language", but do you think that getting along in everyday situations in ten languages would be sufficiently above average to satisfy dictionary definitions?
Yes, at least three! And one would have to be fluent in all three. One could know more languages with varying degrees of fluency, but to be a polyglot, one should be very comfortable in three languages.
Only three! Aren’t you trilingual then? —or should that be—- Three only! Then aren’t you trilingual?
Well, poly is Greek for "many" ([pardon the pun), I’m told and three is more than two. Doe’s that make three = many, I wonder? No, I vote for five.
And please, let the word linguist stand for someone studying the construction of language(s).
