Multilingualism and Cosmopolitanism

Languages are supposed to make a person world-minded. Formany reasons, our globalising world values language knowledge. Yetscientifically, language knowledge has not yet been linked toglobal identity. This book, therefore, explores the link betweenmultilingualism and cosmopolitanism. Conceptually, it definescosmopolitanism via a synthesised literature matrix of severalissues and aspects of what constitutes a cosmopolitan person, orcosmopolitan individual cultural identity. It then definesindividual multilingualism, establishing minimum quantitative andqualitative criteria. Empirically, the book links multilingualismand cosmopolitanism by showing how a group of multilingualinternational students revealed themselves, in in-depth interviews,in terms of cosmopolitan cultural identity. Here, three originalcosmopolitan ideal types were established. This work should helpshed some light on the relationship between language knowledge andglobal identity, and should be especially useful, whether asinsight, inspiration, or agenda for personal development, for thelanguage professional, teacher, and student, as well as for theengaging and open-minded traveller in today`s world.