{"id":11010,"date":"2023-07-28T10:23:17","date_gmt":"2023-07-28T08:23:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/languagepartners.nl\/?p=11010"},"modified":"2025-06-18T14:20:36","modified_gmt":"2025-06-18T12:20:36","slug":"bilingualism-double-the-words-double-the-fun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/languagepartners.nl\/en\/blog\/language\/bilingualism-double-the-words-double-the-fun\/","title":{"rendered":"Bilingualism: Double the Words, Double the Fun"},"content":{"rendered":"

As our interconnected world continues to expand, cultural differences can create clashes, which hinder intercultural connectivity and collaboration. It also creates a wealth of opportunities, allowing us to leverage our differences for improved innovation, productivity and connection. Now, more than ever the value of learning a second, third or even fourth language cannot be overstated. To explain why, we\u2019ll start with a dive into the world of linguistics. Happy Reading!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is the difference between mother tongue and native language? <\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Mother tongue and native language are terms that are often used interchangeably, but there can be some slight differences depending on the use. Mother tongue has been used to highlight the connection the speaker has to their mother, and how the language was acquired from her. Now, the term is used almost interchangeably with native language. A native language is most often used to note the language someone learned as a child. It can also be used to indicate the language spoken by the majority in a particular region. Additionally native language can also be used to demonstrate that the person speaking it is from the region that the language is spoken in.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is the difference between first and native language?<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

First language, or L1, is a term often used by linguists to designate a language which was learned as a child, without the context of another language. The exact age is debated, and different for everyone, but is often said to be any language learned before the age of seven. L1 is also a native language. Any language learned after is considered a second language, or L2.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What does it mean to be bilingual?<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

The definition of bilingual can<\/span> vary slightly<\/span><\/a>, but it is a label for someone who speaks two languages fluently. There are different labels for those who speak three (trilingual) or more languages (multilingual and polyglot). There are also different types of bilinguals, though this is something we\u2019ll explore below.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What do you call someone who speaks more than two languages?<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

In the globalised world we live in, many people are, or have become multilingual due to<\/span> global mobility<\/span>. When someone speaks three languages, they\u2019re typically labelled as trilingual. However, when they speak three or more languages, they can all fall under the categorization of multilingual, plurilingual, or be called a polyglot. More explicitly, a polyglot is someone who speaks at least several languages. The exact number can differ, but typically anyone who speaks at least five languages is a polyglot. Plurilingual is an adjective to describe someone who speaks three or more languages. This is similar for the word multilingual, though it is also used to describe a culture or atmosphere in which multiple languages coexist.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the seven types of Bilingualism?<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n