soknyelv

Soknyelv is a Hungarian term used to describe multilingualism or a person who speaks several languages. The word is formed from sok, meaning many, and nyelv, meaning language. In Hungarian, the adjectival form soknyelvű and the related noun soknyelvűség are used to denote multilingual ability and the phenomenon of speaking multiple languages, respectively.

In practice, soknyelv can refer to people as well as environments or practices. A soknyelvű person is someone who communicates in multiple languages, while a soknyelvű környezet or soknyelvű oktatás describes a multilingual setting or program. The term is common in contemporary discourse, appearing in media, education, and policy discussions about language use in society. It is often encountered alongside the more standard term többnyelvű (multilingual) and, in some contexts, the borrowed term polyglot.

Soknyelv is characteristic of increasingly globalized settings, migratory movements, and international work. Discussions about soknyelv coverage frequently address benefits such as broader communication, cultural access, and cognitive advantages, as well as challenges like language dominance, resource allocation, and the need for language education policies that support multiple languages.

Examples: “She is soknyelvű, fluent in Hungarian, English, and German.” “The school implements soknyelvű education to accommodate students from diverse linguistic backgrounds.” In formal usage, töb nyelvű remains the more common label for multilingualism, but soknyelv is widely understood in everyday speech and writing.