This document defines and discusses multilingualism. It begins by defining multilingualism as the use of more than one language by an individual or community. It then provides further details on the definition, noting that multilingual individuals are also called multilingual. It also discusses multilingual education. The document then discusses multilingualism in the Indian context, noting that India has over 1700 languages spoken. It also discusses the nature, scope and characteristics of multilingualism.

1. Suresh Babu G
Multilingualism
Suresh Babu G
Assistant Professor

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Multilingualism - Meaning
• Multilingualism is the use of more than
one language, either by an individual speaker or
by a community of speakers.
• The word “Multilingualism” is derived from two
words, “multi” and “lingual”. “Multi” means two or
more and “lingual” means “language”.

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• A person who can speak multiple languages is
known as a multilingual.
• Multilingual education typically refers to first
language first education ,i.e. Schooling which
begins in the mother tongue and transition to
additional language.
Multilingualism - Meaning

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Definition
• According to Pearce ,”Multilingualism is the use of
several languages by an individual or society.
sometimes bilinguals are described as multilingual
but usually the term is reserved for speakers or
socio linguistic situations in which more than two
languages are used”.
• Multilingualism is the natural potential available to
every normal human being rather than unusual
exception: “Given the appropriate environment,
two language are as normal as two lungs”
(Cook 2002)

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Multilingualism – Indian context
• India is a multilingual country.
• There are more than 1700 language which are
spoken as mother tongue in India

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Multilingualism – Nature
• Multilingualism is universal in nature.
• It is purely based on the needs of society.
• It may be forced or voluntary.
• It may be additive and subtractive.
• It is promoted or given to an individual by
society.
• It is will full.
• It is also caused due to migration of people.
• It spread more at social linguistic level instead of
individual level.

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Scope of Multilingualism
• Multilingualism is not just limited to a specific
field. It touches every aspect of human life, it’s
scope is very large which can be studied as
follows:
• Education is imparted through multilingualism
because of multilingual society.
• Personally we are multilingual.
• Our constitution provides us more than two
language to use for administration.

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• Our judicial system use various language.
• Our society use different language – it is the
need of society.
• For the improvement of profession we need
different language.
• For good jobs and for the improvement of
business.
Scope of Multilingualism

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Characteristics of multilingual
classroom
There is a diversity of languages.
Free opportunity to increase the knowledge.
Creates the feelings of Global citizenship.
Learning process is complex and time
consuming.
Growth of knowledge and liberal attitudes of the
students.

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ROLE OF TEACHER
 Teachers need to first in the liberal mindset.
 Teachers will encourage students to learn
another language.
 Teachers can organize on students own
language.
 Teachers can arrange songs , dance drama,
recitation of different activities.

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