the state of knowing two or more languages, but not necessarily using them with equal proficiency or in equal proportions. People who acquire two (or more) languages in infancy or early childhood may be considered to be native bilinguals; that is, they have two NATIVE LANGUAGES.
the ability to use two languages
The habitual use, e.g. by a person or a community, of two lanĀguages.
varying definitions going from perfect command of two languages to the ability to use another language for practical purposes, however trivial the use. See second language, additive/ subtractive, elite bilingualism
A condition in which one speaker has some amount of knowledge of at least one language besides their native language. When there is widespread bilingualism in a speech community, as in a contact situation, lexical, phonological, and even syntactic borrowing can occur.
The ability to speak two languages fluently.
Being able to communicate effectively in two or more languages, with more or less the same degree of proficiency.
see bilingual proficiency.
Functional literacy in two or more languages; policies that promote the acquisition of more than one language.
Bilingualism is the ability to read, speak, understand, and write well in two languages. (NCEA)
The ability to utilize two languages with equal fluency.