Multilingual around the world

Being multilingual is defined as using two or more languages or dialects in daily life. Interestingly, this applies to a vast majority of the world's population. 

According to recent studies, more than half of the global population is multilingual, which is a staggering number.

In Europe, speaking multiple languages has been a norm for centuries, if not more. For instance, children in countries such as Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Switzerland grow up speaking three to four languages, which is a common occurrence. Additionally  Ireland, Ukraine or Finland are bilingual countries where people regularly use two official languages.

Apart from Europe, many other countries worldwide have a diverse linguistic environment. For example, in South East Asia, several countries have more than one language or dialect. In Africa, many children grow up speaking two tribal languages and an official language, often English.

Considering the prevalence of multilingualism globally, it is no longer a unique or unusual skill. 

In fact, it is more common than you might think. Therefore, raising a multilingual child should not be viewed as a daunting or challenging task. Instead, it can be viewed as a beneficial and rewarding experience that can open up many opportunities for your child in the future. So, take the pressure off of you!

For more 👉 Multilingual education

Resources

Atlas of the world's languages in danger, UNESCO
articles: European Commission (Europeans and Their Languages), The Canadian Census, The African Academy of Languages, The Asia-Pacific Journal of Education, The United Nations Development Programme