Polyglot
/ˈpɑːliˌɡlɑːt/
nounadjectiveC1
Definition
A polyglot is a person who knows and uses several languages. This word can also describe things that involve many languages, like a book written in many languages. It shows the ability to communicate in different languages, more than just one or two.
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See It in Action
A person who knows and uses several languages
- •She is a polyglot who speaks five languages fluently.
- •Many polyglots enjoy learning new languages as a hobby.
- •The polyglot impressed everyone by switching languages during the meeting.
Related to or using several languages
- •The polyglot dictionary includes words from many different languages.
- •A polyglot book contains texts written in multiple languages.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "polyglot" like "speaker," but for many languages, not just one or two.
- ✓Picture a person talking with friends from many countries, switching languages easily.
- ✓It's the feeling of being able to connect with many people because you know their languages.
- ✓Sounds like "POLY-glot" → imagine many (poly = many) tongues (glot = tongue/language) speaking together.
- ✓Think of famous polyglots like diplomats or language teachers who help people understand each other.
- ✓NOT like "bilingual" (knowing two languages), polyglot means knowing many more than two.
- ✓NOT like "translator" (someone who changes words from one language to another), polyglot is about knowing and using the languages yourself.
Try Other Words
- •Multilingual: knowing or using several languages (Use when the number of languages is fewer or the focus is general ability)
- •Linguist: a person who studies languages (Use when focusing on language study or science, not just speaking many languages)
- •Language learner: someone learning a language (Use when the person is still learning, not yet fluent in many languages)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "poly-" (many) + "glot" (tongue or language)
- •Etymology: From Greek "polýglōttos," meaning "many-tongued" or "speaking many languages"
- •Historical development: Used since the 17th century to describe people with knowledge of many languages
- •Modern usage: Commonly used to describe people who speak several languages fluently or things involving many languages
Reflect & Connect
•What advantages might a polyglot have in today’s global world?
•How can learning multiple languages change the way you think about different cultures?
Fill in the blanks
1.A polyglot usually learns many languages because they ___ to communicate with different people.
2.Unlike a bilingual person, a polyglot knows ___ than two languages.
3.When someone is called a polyglot, it means they can ___ or understand several languages.
4.A polyglot dictionary is special because it contains words from ___ languages.
5.Polyglots often enjoy ___ new languages as a hobby or job.
6.If a person only knows one language, you would not call them a polyglot but a ___ speaker.
7.Polyglots sometimes help others by ___ between languages during conversations.