bilingual, by native

[emily wong]

Chinese is my native language. And, I can speak English. When I wrote a personal profile, I said "bilingual ... specialist". However, I got a concern from my friend. She said that only native speakers of two languages could be called "bilingual". Is it correct? Thanks!

Puzzled Emily

[awatef]

No your friend is wrong as long as you speak 2 languages you are bilingual
You can trust me because sociolinguistics is my field
You are bilingual

[emily wong]

My friend is now fighting back. She said that definition of "bilingual" from Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary (7th) is like this: Bilingual, using or being able to use two languages esp. with the fluency characteristic of a native speaker. Now it is a war of honor to me. Am I bilingual, or not? Thank you!

Emily, a person who loves argument

[Anglika]

My friend is now fighting back. She said that definition of "bilingual" from Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary (7th) is like this: Bilingual, using or being able to use two languages esp. with the fluency characteristic of a native speaker. Now it is a war of honor to me. Am I bilingual, or not? Thank you!

Emily, a person who loves argument

If you use English with fluency [which need not mean with accuracy!], you are bilingual.
Why does your friend think you are not?