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You may know what it means to be bilingual, but truly understanding bilingualism is a little more complicated than it seems. So, what does bilingual mean in terms of language acquisition? Learn the meaning of the word “bilingual” in linguistics, when you can call yourself bilingual, and how to become bilingual as efficiently as possible.
What does it mean to be bilingual?
If someone is bilingual, they understand and speak two languages fluently. Latin for “two-tongued,” the word bilingual is common in language learning circles and linguistics. As such, the bilingual meaning can describe a person who speaks two languages, but it can also describe a document (a bilingual document is written in two languages).
Additionally, the term bilingual education refers to an educational style that teaches students in two different languages. For example, an instructor may teach a lesson in both English and Mandarin, both to reach students who speak each language, and to teach the languages to students.
Types of bilingualism
Linguists put bilingual speakers into different categories, depending on a number of factors. If someone learned two languages as a child, they may have a different mastery than someone who learned a second language later on—but both people are still bilingual.
Simultaneous bilingualism
Simultaneous bilingualism occurs when a person learns two languages at the same time. For example, if one parent speaks English and the other speaks French and they both speak it in the household, their child would become bilingual in both languages simultaneously.
There are three main types of simultaneous bilingualism:
- Compound bilingualism: A person learns two languages at the same time. (For example: Each parent speaks a different language and shares it with the child.)
- Coordinate bilingualism: A person learns two languages in two different contexts. (For example: They learn Spanish at home and English at their babysitter’s house.)
- Sub-coordinate bilingualism: A person learns one language more than the other. (For example: Both parents primarily speak German, but one parent sometimes speaks English to the child.)
Because simultaneous bilingualism occurs when a person learns their first and second languages at the same time, it typically happens before a child turns five.
Successive bilingualism
Also known as sequential bilingualism, successive bilingualism happens when someone learns a second language sometime after becoming fluent in their first language after age five. Successive bilingualism occurs in two main ways:
Receptive bilingualism
A learner can be receptively bilingual when they understand two languages, but only speak one. For example, if a child’s native language is Italian but they grew up speaking English, they may be receptively bilingual in that they understand both languages but only speak and write in English.
Receptive bilingualism may be a student’s permanent language status, or it could lead to successive or simultaneous bilingualism as their expressive skills develop.
Additive bilingualism
Common in immigrant communities, additive bilingualism is the process of adding one language to your native language. Speakers are fluent in both languages and can understand, write, and speak both in time.
Subtractive bilingualism
On the other hand, subtractive bilingualism happens when one language fades in favor of a second language. You’ll see subtractive bilingualism in first-generation families where parents speak a native language but their children lose proficiency in favor of a second language.
These speakers are often called heritage speakers—speakers who only have a cultural understanding of their native language, but who are more fluent in the second language they learned.
How long does it take to become bilingual?
Depending on the way you become bilingual, it may take a few years. Children learning two languages from birth become fluent in both by the time they reach preschool, while adults learning a new language may become bilingual in less than a year.
The time to become bilingual also depends on the language you choose. Based on the Foreign Service Institute’s language difficulty rankings, it can take between 24-88 weeks to become proficient in a second language. Romance languages like Spanish, French, and Italian take less time to learn than Mandarin, Arabic, and other commonly spoken languages.
Benefits of becoming bilingual
Does being bilingual make you smarter? Becoming bilingual changes your life in many ways. You’ll be able to translate between two different languages, visit new places without the worry of a language barrier, and accept professional opportunities only open to those who know a second language.
But learning a second language isn’t just fun and helpful—it’s good for your brain! Research shows several health benefits of bilingualism, including better attention to detail, increased ability to multitask, higher executive function and control, and improved memory throughout your life.
In addition, studies of patients with dementia suggest that bilingual patients take longer to present with symptoms of dementia than those who speak one language. And while these patients tend to revert to the first language they learned, they do maintain knowledge and understanding of their second language as well.
Bilingual vs. polyglot
Once you become bilingual, you’re well on your way to becoming a polyglot—someone who learns many languages quickly. But based on where you go next with your language journey, you may have a few more stops along the way.
The general breakdown of language learning includes:
- Monolingual: Knowing one language
- Bilingual: Knowing two languages
- Trilingual: Knowing three languages
- Multilingual: Knowing more than three languages
- Polyglot: Knowing more than three languages and eager to learn more
If you grew up bilingual, consider learning a third language that’s related to one of the languages you speak, like a language close to English if you already speak English. Or for an additional challenge, learn how Rosetta Stone works for a language that’s very different from yours, and take the first step toward becoming a lifelong polyglot!
What does bilingual mean to you?
Determining what bilingual means for you can help you map out your language learning journey. If English is your native language, the quickest way to become bilingual is starting with one of the easiest languages to learn for English speakers. Or, you can take your time and challenge yourself with one of the hardest languages for English speakers to learn instead.
Either way, with Rosetta Stone’s Dynamic Immersion method, adding a second language to your repertoire can be fun and engaging, whether you’re learning Spanish or taking a class in Japanese. Choose your favorite language learning method and find time to practice each day. If possible, talk to people who speak your new language on a regular basis—and remember to enjoy the process. After all, bilingualism is twice as nice!