Talk:Monolingualism

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Doesn't γλοσσα/γλωσσα(sp?) mean tongue? The artice Glottis says a glottis is the space between the vocal cords. My high school Greek is rusty but why glotta?

I would like to know to what extent one can call another a monoglot. I'm fluent in only one language, but I consider myself able to speak French and Spanish to a quite advanced standard. Does monoglottism cover those who only speak one language without speaking any others at all, and/or those who are fluent in only one but are near-fluent in others? 81.77.111.231 23:39, 5 November 2006 (UTC)

As noted in list of noted polyglots claims of fluency in many languages are suspect. I think basic competence in additional languages and native fluency in one or two is a reasonable goal. The is especially true if your native language is one like English which I believe has the largest number of words. The Langenscheidt pocket (classical) Greek dictionary shows both glossa and glotta as being "tongue, speech, dialect'.

From what I understand unless you learn multiple languages simultaneous as a first set, only with intensive speech therapy can your speech become like that of a native speaker (i.e. 'accentless' or at least not having a foreign accent).

Lycurgus 10:05, 13 May 2007 (UTC)

I don't see why this term is so difficult. If you're raised in a country where everyone you ever meet speaks only your native language, and you read no foreign books, films etc, and visit no foreign countries, then you're a monoglot. You may be aware of other languages, and you may even know how to say Qui in French, but you can only communicate in a single language. The fact your brain hasn't been exposed to thought patterns in any other language than your first is probably why that study reached its conclusion (but what do I know?) 85.227.226.168 14:00, 31 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] perhaps what?

"and are perhaps more likely to believe their native language is culturally and economically influential than those who understand or speak more than one language[citation needed]."

I propose this part is removed. This reads like a simple rumour and has no place on Wikipedia unless verified, and even then the "perhaps" must go. 85.227.226.168 13:55, 31 May 2007 (UTC)