French word

bilinguisme

Pronunciation

IPA/bilɛ̃gɥizm/

Meaning

  • masculine nounbilingualism

Example

Dans cette école, le bilinguisme est encouragé.

In this school, bilingualism is encouraged.

Illustration for bilinguisme (bilingualism)

More examples

Au travail, le bilinguisme facilite la communication entre collègues.

At work, bilingualism facilitates communication between colleagues.

Core concept

A stable linguistic arrangement in which two languages operate side by side within one person or community.

Common phrases

  • le bilinguisme au travail

    bilingualism at work

  • débat sur le bilinguisme

    debate about bilingualism

Similar words

bilingue: An individual who speaks two languages.
plurilinguisme: The continued coexistence and use of multiple languages in a person or society.
monolinguisme: The condition of primarily using a single language in a person or society.

Definition in French

Situation linguistique où deux langues coexistent de façon stable au sein d'une communauté ou d'un individu.

Word origin

The noun bilinguisme derives from French bilingue plus -isme, while bilingue ultimately comes from Latin bilinguis, combining bi- 'two' with lingua 'language'.

Usage tips

  • Bilinguisme commonly appears in academic, educational, and language-policy contexts, whereas everyday speech often uses être bilingue for an individual.

Opposites

  • monolinguismemonolingualismnoun

Related words

Word lists with this word