functional bilingualism

Functional bilingualism refers to the ability to effectively communicate and navigate in two languages across various contexts in daily life, work, and social interactions. It means a person can understand, speak, read, and write in both languages sufficiently to handle situations such as conversing with friends, working, or accessing services without significant difficulty. Unlike absolute fluency, functional bilingualism emphasizes practical competence, enabling individuals to switch between languages depending on the setting and needs, often demonstrating adaptability and cultural awareness in using their languages appropriately.