multilingualismn.
/ˌmʌltɪˈlɪŋɡwəlɪz(ə)m/, /ˌmʌltɪˈlɪŋɡwlɪz(ə)m/, U.S. /ˌməltiˈlɪŋɡwəˌlɪz(ə)m/; see also multi- comb. form. The state or condition of being multilingual, or the policy of promoting this; the ability to speak many languages; the use of many languages.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > a language > using or speaking languages > [noun] > trilingualism or multilingualism
polyglottology1658
polyglottery1834
pantoglottism1848
polyglottism1852
polyglossy1910
multilingualism1916
plurilingualism1934
trilingualism1934
polylingualism1939
polyglossia1975
1916 Manitoba Free Press 26 June 9/2 It abolished multi-lingualism and established English as the medium of instruction in the public schools.
1940 Q. Jrnl. Speech Oct. 394 Problems confronting the speech therapist in the Union are legion, resulting from racial inequalities, multi-lingualism, [etc.].
1968 J. A. Fishman Readings Sociol. of Lang. 12 Multilingualism has long been a topic recognized by sociologists, linguists, anthropologists, and others as shedding light on many aspects of language learning.
1986 Eng. Today Apr. 32/2 India's multilingualism and ethnic pluralism have added further levels of complexity.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2003; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1916