linguistic imbalance
"Linguistic imbalance" highlights the unequal representation and treatment of languages within societies, affecting communication, education, and social equity.
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Definition
C1Sociolinguistics
(academic, social)A situation where certain languages receive more prestige, resources, or opportunities than others in a society.
Example
- Linguistic imbalance in the education system can disadvantage speakers of minority languages.
- Efforts to promote linguistic diversity aim to address linguistic imbalances in media representation.
B2Multilingualism
(academic, technical)A difference in proficiency levels among the languages known by a polyglot.
Example
- John's linguistic imbalance is evident as he speaks French fluently but struggles with German.
- Polyglots often experience linguistic imbalance, excelling in some languages while having limited skills in others.
C1Sociolinguistics
(academic, social)The use of language that treats different social categories, such as gender, unequally.
Example
- Linguistic imbalance can be seen in languages that use male-dominant terms for professions.
- Addressing linguistic imbalance involves creating gender-neutral terminology.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "linguistic imbalance":