monolingual
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective:
- Using or knowing only one language: Describes a person, text, or system that operates in or is familiar with a single language.
- Containing or expressed in only one language: Describes a dictionary, book, or publication that is written entirely in one language, often for speakers of that language to understand their own language better.
Noun:
- A person who knows only one language: An individual who is fluent in or uses just a single language.
Examples
Adjective:
- She is a monolingual English speaker. (She uses and knows only the English language.)
- This is a monolingual dictionary for learners of English. (This dictionary provides definitions and explanations only in English.)
- The school's monolingual policy has been controversial. (The school's policy of using only one language has been debated.)
Noun:
- As a monolingual, he found traveling in a non-English speaking country challenging. (Because he knows only one language, he found the trip difficult.)
- The program aims to help monolinguals become bilingual. (The program's goal is to teach people who know one language a second language.)
Advanced Usage
- Monolingualism (n): The condition of being monolingual; the use of only one language by an individual or within a community.
- The country's history of monolingualism is changing due to immigration.
- In academic contexts, "monolingual" often contrasts with "bilingual" or "multilingual" when discussing language acquisition, education policy, or cognitive studies.
- The study compared the cognitive flexibility of monolingual and bilingual children.
Variants and Related Words
- Bilingual (adj/n): Using or knowing two languages; a person who knows two languages.
- Multilingual (adj/n): Using or knowing several languages; a person who knows several languages.
- Monolingualism (n): The state or practice of using only one language.
Synonyms
- Unilingual (adj): (Less common) Using or knowing only one language; synonymous with 'monolingual'.
- Single-language (adj): Involving or using just one language (often used attributively, e.g., ).
Antonyms
- Bilingual (adj/n): Using two languages.
- Multilingual (adj/n): Using multiple languages.
- Polyglot (adj/n): Knowing or using several languages.
Adjective
- using or knowing only one language
- monolingual speakers
- a monolingual dictionary
Noun
- a person who knows only one language