What is the difference between being multilingual and plurilingual?
What is the difference between being multilingual and plurilingual?
What about monolingual and bilingual? Bilingual and multilingual?
So many terms, so many languages!
All of these terms are used to define a person, family, or society that speaks a certain number of languages. These words are all derived from Latin, hence the ending -lingual, which refers to ‘language’ or ‘something pertaining to language’. The beginning of the word is what changes its meaning.
Let’s start with monolingual. What does being monolingual mean? Simply put, it means to speak only one language. Another term for monolingual is unilingual, with both mono- and uni- meaning ‘one’. And when I say “only one language”, I don’t mean that in a negative way! It’s just a definition… no language shaming here! :)
Building off of this, being bilingual refers to the knowledge of two languages, with bi- meaning ‘two’. Therefore, an individual who speaks two languages would be considered to be bilingual. Similarly, a society, school, family, etc., in which two languages are used would also be considered bilingual. Someone who is bilingual may have grown up in a bilingual household, attended a bilingual school, or learned a second language later in life.
So what about multilingual and plurilingual?
Now, this is where things get confusing…
If multi- means ‘multiple or more than two’, and plural- means ‘more than one’ or ‘more than two’ (depending on who you ask and in what language or dialect!), what’s the difference between being multilingual and plurilingual?
Simply put (although many other linguistics might cringe at this simplicity), a multilingual is someone who speaks multiple languages — generally more than two —but uses them separately (in separate contexts, situations, conversations, etc.), whereas a plurilingual refers to someone who has competences in multiple languages (regardless of the number) and can switch between them within the same context/conversations, depending on the situation and people they are talking to.
Being plurilingual also generally includes the additional cultural knowledge with each language/dialect spoken and how the speaker uses this knowledge within their communication (more on this below). This subtle — but important — difference is where the name of this blog comes from as I aim to help parents who speak different languages raise children who can easily communicate in whatever language the situation calls for, both inside and outside of the home!
It’s important to note that these general meanings are still evolving as studies on plurilingualism continue to develop and more literature is written on the topic.
It’s also very important to remember that someone does not necessarily have to be a native speaker or have native-like levels in all of their languages to be considered bilingual, multilingual, or plurilingual! Language knowledge and competencies vary depending on each individual’s experience, environment, and cultural exposure.
On that note, another subtle but important distinction is that plurilingual individuals understand and utilise the cultural nuances and references within their communication*, leading them to be pluricultural.
So what does it mean to be pluricultural? Read on!
What is the difference between being Multicultural and Pluricultural?
Two terms often heard when discussing multilingual and plurilingual individuals are their cultural counterparts: multicultural and pluricultural.
Language and culture go hand in hand. You really can’t have one without the other (okay, yes, there are some exceptions, but let’s not get too stuck on those!).
So, according to the Council of Europe*, if we add culture to the mix, when referring to multilingualism and multiculturalism, they can be looked at as “languages and cultures as separate and somehow static entities that co-exist in societies or individuals” whereas plurilingualism and pluriculturalism “aim to capture the holistic nature of individual language users/learners' linguistic and cultural repertoires”.
Plurilingualism and pluriculturalism stress “the dynamic use of multiple languages/varieties and cultural knowledge, awareness and/or experience in social situations”* and imply an ability to navigate different cultural contexts and to adapt to different ways of communicating.
These terms focus on the “interconnectedness of different languages and cultures rather than on their differences”* and also stress the importance of including speakers of all levels as they “value even the most partial competencies in and awareness of languages and cultures”*, highlighting the importance of lifelong plurilingual and pluricultural development.
In summary, being multilingual involves speaking multiple languages separately and being plurilingual entails possessing competencies in multiple languages and the ability to switch between them within the same context or conversation, incorporating cultural knowledge and nuances associated with each language. Likewise, multiculturalism often focuses on the coexistence of different languages and cultures as separate entities, while pluriculturalism emphasises the dynamic use of multiple languages and cultural knowledge in fluid social situations.
Each linguistic and cultural profile, from monolingual to plurilingual, offers unique benefits, challenges, and opportunities for communication, understanding, and personal growth!