Linguistic intelligence, one of Howard Gardner's eight intelligences, involves the ability to understand and use spoken and written language. This can include expressing yourself effectively through speech or the written word as well as showing a facility for learning foreign tongues. Writers, poets, lawyers, and speakers are among those that Gardner sees as having high linguistic intelligence.
What about bilingual learners? Or multilingual learners? Would they get the same linguistic intelligence in all their languages? Or would it be the reflection of their overall ability to communicate in any language?
I've come up with a system of Linguistic Intelligence Profiles inspired by CQ profiles presented by E. Mosakowski and C. Earley. You can determine which profile or a mix of profiles you are by completing a self-assessment test. Here I'm presenting the 12 profiles, you can read them first and see what sounds like you:
Monolingual Speaker: The Specialist
Characteristics: Speaks one language fluently.
Strengths: Deep understanding of the nuances, idioms, and cultural context of their native language.
Development Areas: Exposure to additional languages to broaden linguistic and cultural horizons.
Body Language and Gestures: Strong grasp of non-verbal cues in their native culture but may struggle with cross-cultural non-verbal communication.
Emotional Intelligence: High emotional intelligence within their cultural context.
Basic Bilingual: The Explorer
Characteristics: Speaks two languages, with one being the native language and the other at a basic or conversational level.
Strengths: Ability to communicate in more than one language, basic understanding of a different cultural context.
Development Areas: Improving fluency and confidence in the second language, expanding vocabulary, and cultural knowledge.
Body Language and Gestures: Basic understanding of non-verbal cues in a second culture.
Emotional Intelligence: Developing empathy and emotional intelligence in both cultural contexts.
Functional Bilingual: The Navigator
Characteristics: Speaks two languages fluently, often with one being dominant.
Strengths: Comfortable in both languages, can switch between languages depending on context, good understanding of two cultures.
Development Areas: Achieving balanced proficiency if one language is notably stronger, and improving cross-cultural communication skills.
Body Language and Gestures: Proficient in interpreting and using non-verbal cues in both cultures.
Emotional Intelligence: Strong emotional intelligence in both cultural contexts.
Upbringing Navigator: The Roots
Characteristics: Grew up in a bilingual, or multilingual environment; exposure to multicultural settings from an early age.
Strengths: Deep-seated understanding of cultural and linguistic diversity, ability to seamlessly integrate different cultural practices into everyday life.
Development Areas: Leveraging upbringing to foster continuous growth and prevent cultural biases.
Body Language and Gestures: Early exposure leads to a natural understanding and use of diverse non-verbal communication.
Emotional Intelligence: Combines emotional intelligence with cultural empathy, shaped by early multicultural experiences.
Mindset: Growth mindset encourages continual learning and adaptation, while a fixed mindset may limit the exploration of new languages and cultures.
Everyday Life: Embodies a multicultural and multilingual lifestyle, influencing daily interactions and perspectives.
Proficient Multilingual: The Polyglot
Characteristics: Speaks three or more languages with high proficiency.
Strengths: High linguistic flexibility, ability to navigate multiple cultural contexts, strong cognitive benefits associated with multilingualism.
Development Areas: Deepening cultural knowledge of each language's context, maintaining proficiency in all languages, avoiding language interference.
Body Language and Gestures: Highly adept at understanding and using non-verbal communication across cultures.
Emotional Intelligence: Advanced emotional intelligence, able to navigate complex emotional landscapes in multiple cultures.
Linguistic Chameleon: The Adaptable
Characteristics: Speaks multiple languages fluently and can adapt language use to different cultural contexts effortlessly.
Strengths: Exceptional code-switching abilities, deep cultural empathy, strong ability to mediate and connect across cultures.
Development Areas: Ensuring a consistent personal identity across languages, preventing burnout from constant adaptation.
Body Language and Gestures: Masterful use of non-verbal communication tailored to different cultural contexts.
Emotional Intelligence: Exceptional at managing and understanding emotions in diverse cultural settings.
Cultural Synthesizer: The Integrator
Characteristics: Integrates linguistic and cultural elements from multiple languages into their communication style.
Strengths: Innovative in language use, capable of creating new expressions and ways of thinking by blending languages, strong cross-cultural communication.
Development Areas: Maintaining clarity and coherence in communication, ensuring that synthesis respects all cultural contexts involved.
Body Language and Gestures: Inventive use of non-verbal communication, blending elements from multiple cultures.
Emotional Intelligence: Deep understanding and empathy that synthesizes emotional cues from various cultures.
Gesture Communicator: The Expressive
Characteristics: Utilizes body language, gestures, and facial expressions to complement verbal communication.
Strengths: Enhances communication through expressive non-verbal cues, adept at conveying emotions and intentions without words.
Development Areas: Ensuring non-verbal cues are culturally appropriate and understood in different contexts.
Body Language and Gestures: Expert in using and interpreting non-verbal communication.
Emotional Intelligence: Highly attuned to emotional nuances expressed through body language.
Emotional Interpreter: The Empath
Characteristics: Uses emotional intelligence to understand and communicate effectively across cultures.
Strengths: Deep empathy, able to navigate emotional landscapes and build strong interpersonal connections.
Development Areas: Balancing emotional sensitivity with effective boundary-setting.
Body Language and Gestures: Sensitive to emotional cues conveyed through non-verbal communication.
Emotional Intelligence: Profound ability to interpret and respond to emotions in a culturally appropriate manner.
Cross-Cultural Psychologist: The Analyst
Characteristics: Applies principles of cross-cultural psychology to understand linguistic and cultural behaviors.
Strengths: Analytical approach to cultural and linguistic differences, strong problem-solving skills.
Development Areas: Bridging theoretical knowledge with practical application in everyday interactions.
Body Language and Gestures: Analytical understanding of how non-verbal cues vary across cultures.
Emotional Intelligence: Utilizes psychological insights to enhance emotional intelligence.
Everyday Multilingual: The Practicer
Characteristics: Uses multiple languages in daily life for practical communication.
Strengths: Practical and functional language use, strong adaptability in everyday situations.
Development Areas: Deepening cultural understanding beyond practical use.
Body Language and Gestures: Effective use of non-verbal communication in daily interactions.
Emotional Intelligence: Practical application of emotional intelligence in diverse everyday contexts.
Worldview Navigator: The Philosopher
Characteristics: Integrates linguistic and cultural knowledge to form a broad, inclusive worldview.
Strengths: Holistic understanding of global issues, strong philosophical and ethical grounding.
Development Areas: Ensuring practical application of broad worldview in specific cultural contexts.
Body Language and Gestures: Reflective use of non-verbal communication to convey complex ideas.
Emotional Intelligence: Deep, reflective emotional intelligence that incorporates diverse cultural perspectives.
Example Reflection Questions for Profiles:
How do my non-verbal communication skills vary across the different languages I speak?
In what ways does my emotional intelligence adapt when I switch between languages?
How can I better integrate cultural insights into my everyday interactions?
What strategies can I use to balance my personal identity while adapting to different linguistic and cultural contexts?
How does my upbringing influence my ability to navigate different linguistic and cultural environments?
How do I apply a growth mindset to continue developing my linguistic and cultural skills?
How do the languages I speak shape my worldview and ethical considerations?
This system of linguistic intelligence profiles provides a comprehensive understanding of how language, culture, non-verbal communication, emotional intelligence, cross-cultural psychology, and everyday life interact to shape our linguistic identities. Each profile offers a unique perspective on navigating multilingual and multicultural environments, providing a richer framework for personal and professional development.
I'm also preparing a self-assessment test for you to play with. I'm not a big fan of putting people into boxes by psychological tests, as I believe we are a mixture of everything, but during certain periods of our life we manifest certain traits stronger. And it's good to check them out and be self-aware.