bilinˈguality Linguistics.
[f. bilingual a. + -ity.]
= bilingualism (usu. in sense a).
| 1953 U. Weinreich Lang. in Contact ii. 67 The external factors include..the bilinguality of the interlocutors, emotional involvement of the speaker, etc. 1968 W. E. Lambert et al. in J. A. Fishman Readings Sociol. of Lang. 484 Fundamental differences exist between our two samples of Franco-American students in terms of their experience with French, their degree of bilinguality, and their adjustment to the American society as ethnic minority groups. 1977 Bourhis & Giles in H. Glass Lang., Ethnicity & Intergroup Relations v. 121 A number of Welshmen are assuming a new pride in their bilinguality. 1984 Guardian 1 Feb. 10/3 He instinctively reverted to what middle-class mothers of children in state schools have long termed ‘bilinguality’; he assumed a Cockney accent as protective colouring. |