monolingual adj : using or knowing only one language; "monolingual speakers"; "a monolingual dictionary" [ant: multilingual]

English

Adjective

monolingual

1. knowing, or using a single language

Synonyms

• unilingual

Translations

Monoglottism (Greek monos, "alone, solitary", + glotta, "tongue, language") or, more commonly, monolingualism or unilingualism is the condition of being able to speak only a single language. In a different context "unilingualism" may refer to language policy which enforces an official or national language over others.

Native-born persons living in many of the Anglosphere nations such as the United States, Australia, United Kingdom, and New Zealand are frequently typecast as monoglots, owing to a worldwide perception that English speakers see little relevance in learning a second language due to the widespread distribution of English and its competent use even in many non-English speaking countries in Europe, Africa, and South Asia. Many Spanish language countries in Latin America are also considered to have substantial proportions of the population who are monoglots.

Monolingual or unilingual is also said of a text, dictionary, or conversation written or conducted in only one language, and of an entity in or at which a single language is either used or officially recognized (in particular when being compared with bilingual or multilingual entities or in the presence of individuals speaking different languages). Note that monoglottism can only refer to not having the ability to speak several languages.

A recent Canadian study has shown that monoglots are at a disadvantage with the onset of senility compared to bilingual people. http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2007/01/11/canadian_study_shows_bilingualism_has_protective_effect_in_delaying_onset_of_dementia_by_four_years.html

See also

• Multilingualism
• Languages in the United Kingdom
• Languages in the United States
• List of multilingual countries and regions