Monolinguals tend to have the view that the estate of monolingualism within society is the most logical, acceptable and prevalent in the world. Yet, the reality is that bilinguals are the majority in the world.
Various estimates exist of what percentage of the world is bilingual. This is very difficult, because of the definition of bilinguals may include or exclude those who have a little fluency in one language. Under the term bilinguals go many different colours with many different shades and hues.
If Pidgins and Creoles are included or excluded from the count, the estimate of the percentage of bilinguals in the world will change. When local dialects are added into the confusion of producing an accurate figure, any percentage will be inaccurate. Published estimates tend to vary between 60% and 75% of the world as bilingual. The conclusion is clear. Bilinguals are in the majority in the world, not monolinguals.
One problem for monolinguals is that monolinguals often have greater power and privilege, more status and prestige. For example, in England, Australia, New Zealand and France monolinguals tend to be over-represented in the ranks of power elites, among those with wealth and influence. English monolinguals Speakers in England are often amused to find people speaking Welsh or Scottish Gaelic- regarding it as rustic and picturesque, but also rude, disruptive and valueless. Therefore, the problem that some bilinguals face is that they are the majority in the world, but have a minority of power.
Anyway bilingual education is sometimes perceived by politicians as causing a language problem. Such education, it is sometimes argued, will cause social unrest or disintegration in society. Fostering the minority language and ethnic differences provoke group conflict and disharmony. The response is generally that bilingual education will lead to better integration, harmony and social peace.
