Explore the concept of linguistic intelligence. Learn what linguistic intelligence is and find a list of famous people with linguistic intelligence.
Updated: 11/21/2023
Linguistic Intelligence | Definition, Characteristics & Examples
Table of Contents
- What Is Linguistic Intelligence?
- Linguistic Intelligence in the Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences
- Linguistic Intelligence Characteristics
- Linguistic Intelligence Examples
- Famous People With Linguistic Intelligence
- Lesson Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
What does linguistic intelligence mean?
Linguistic intelligence is a part of Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences. Linguistic intelligence means the ability to use language and exhibit the ability be sensitive to words and languages.
What are the characteristics of linguistic intelligence?
Linguistically intelligent people are often people who want to understand and explore language. These types of people love words and imagery, and can express that through language. These people are often actors, writers, or poets.
What is an example of linguistic intelligence?
A person who loves to debate or a person who loves to discuss and develop stories are examples of people with linguistic intelligence. This type of person is good with their words, imagery comes easy to them, and they can learn different languages.
Why is linguistic intelligence important?
Linguistic intelligence gives an individual the ability to learn new things. Being able to verbally express oneself and use the written word to communicate are extremely important in making connections with others.
Table of Contents
- What Is Linguistic Intelligence?
- Linguistic Intelligence in the Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences
- Linguistic Intelligence Characteristics
- Linguistic Intelligence Examples
- Famous People With Linguistic Intelligence
- Lesson Summary
Linguistic intelligence is having an understanding and appreciation for the rules and functions of a specific language. It can also be described as the ability to learn languages as well as the ability to use that language to achieve or accomplish goals. Characteristics of a person who exhibits linguistic intelligence are: good at learning different languages, explaining words or phrases come easy, and skilled at using language.
Linguistic intelligence is used in a variety of ways such as reading, writing, and speaking. This would translate well to careers in areas such as acting, law, and writing. A career as a mathematician would not be appropriate for someone who exhibits linguistic intelligence. Careers for someone who exhibits linguistic intelligence would mean that person is well-developed and versed verbally and understands sounds, word meanings, and the rhythm of words. A mathematician would not be the ideal career for someone with linguistic intelligence.
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People possess different ranges of abilities. Psychologist Howard Gardner proposed his theory of multiple intelligences to show that people do not just have intellectual intelligence, but many kinds of intelligence. Gardner proposed eight different types of intelligences.
- Linguistic Intelligence- Gardner described a person with this intelligence as ''a person good with words''. These types of people are usually good with their words. A person with linguistic intelligence can create and analyze information from different languages. Usually, these people can produce or write language such as essays, books, scripts, or speeches.
- Logical-Mathematics Intelligence - These individuals are good with numbers and can analyze math problems logically. Individuals who exhibit this type of intelligence are often good with abstract math problems and can develop equations. Often with this type of intelligence, the individual is good with research and data.
- Spatial Intelligence - This individual is good with visual data. The individual can perceive and obtain knowledge visually. An individual with spatial intelligence is a person who can recognize patterns. For example, a chess player would likely have this type of intelligence. In chess, the ability to rotate patterns in one's head to recognize different shapes or patterns is important.
- Musical Intelligence - An individual who can pick up melody, sounds, and tends to think in rhythms exhibits musical intelligence. Michael Jackson is a famous person who was considered to be musically intelligent. Composers, conductors, and musical artists are all considered musically intelligent.
- Naturalistic Intelligence - An individual with naturalistic intelligence is likely to be able to identify different species, environments, and plants. A strong pull toward learning about nature, environment, and weather are considered characteristics of naturalistic intelligence. A person might consider a career as a meteorologist, botanist, or biologist if they have naturalistic intelligence.
- Intrapersonal Intelligence - Understanding oneself and the innerworkings of desires, emotions, and needs, and being able to effectively communicate ones' feelings and have control over their own life demonstrates intrapersonal intelligence. A therapist is a type of career for someone with intrapersonal intelligence. Awareness to the state of emotions and feelings in oneself or in others are important in intrapersonal intelligence. These people tend to enjoy exploring feelings and relationships between themselves and others.
- Kinesthetic Intelligence or Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence - This type of intelligence is about understanding the development and movement of the body. The ability to create and perform through a mind-body relationship is important in this type of intelligence. This intelligence is about physicality. One would be considered to have this type of intelligence if they were a dancer or athlete. For example, Tom Brady, Lebron James, or Mia Hamm are all considered to have this type of intelligence.
- Interpersonal Intelligence - A person who exhibits this type of intelligence is about to interact verbally or nonverbally with others. Individuals with this type of intelligence can understand and read situations. Teachers often try to teach interpersonal skills through activities in the classroom when students work in groups. People with interpersonal intelligence are often people who can ''read the room''. These individuals are likely to assess situations and enjoy debates and discussions with peers.
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Each of Gardner's intelligences has characteristics that are specifically associated with that intelligence. Linguistic intelligence is no different. An individual with linguistic intelligence is good with languages and learning languages but there are other characteristics that define a person as linguistically intelligent.
- Having a deeply-rooted understanding of language and the development of language
- The ability to understand the function and rules of language
- Use their vocabulary to clearly express and state themselves
- Excel at using imagery to explain and/or tell a story that can incite emotional reactions from others
- Express themselves clearly and succinctly
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There are many different qualities that one can hold when they are considered to have linguistic intelligence.
- A person who loves to debate is an example of someone with linguistic intelligence. This person is likely to have a strong love of language, would likely exhibit a larger vocabulary, and understand meanings of words and phrases. This person is also likely to draw on past experiences and use imagery when debating to draw in audiences.
- Poets often are people with high linguistic intelligence. A poet can use imagery to captivate audiences and make audiences connect to what they are reading. Poets are often good writers and have a way with words and language. Poets can fluently articulate an idea or story.
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There are many famous people that are known to be linguistically intelligent.
- Shakespeare is known for having linguistic intelligence. His works are famous for the complexity of his writings.
- Martin Luther King, Jr. was linguistically intelligent. He was able to write speeches and develop imagery within these speeches. For example, his famous ''I Have a Dream'' speech was filled with imagery, and he relied on his ability to understand language and tell a story to connect to the emotion of the audience.
- J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter book series, is considered to be linguistically intelligent because of her storytelling ability and the way in which she can fluently write and tell a story.
- Tom Hiddleston, an actor famous for his role as Loki in the Marvel movie franchise, can be considered linguistically intelligent. He knows nine languages and is often seen speaking with foreign fans in their native tongue.
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Linguistic Intelligence is an understanding of the rules, rhythm, meaning, and function of languages. A person with this type of intelligence can easily explain words or phrases to others, learn different languages, and excel at using language. Careers that are suitable with someone who is skilled with linguistic intelligence are lawyers, actors, poets, and writers. These careers are suitable for individuals with linguistic intelligence because those people are more likely to be well-versed in the meaning, rhythm, and understanding of word flow. A mathematician would not be the ideal career for someone with linguistic intelligence. Psychologist Howard Gardner proposed that people are not only born with intellectual intelligence, but other intelligences as well. He proposed the theory of multiple intelligences. The theory included eight intelligences:
- Linguistic Intelligence (good with language)
- Logical-Mathematic Intelligence (number smart)
- Spatial Intelligence (visually intelligent)
- Musical Intelligence (musically inclined)
- Naturalistic Intelligence (understand nature)
- Intrapersonal Intelligence (good with feelings and emotions)
- Kinesthetic Intelligence (body awareness)
- Interpersonal Intelligence (good with interacting with others)
Characteristics of people who are considered linguistically intelligent have an awareness of language shown through the expression of vocabulary. They have an understanding of where that language came from, a strong ability to use imagery in discussions, speeches, or writings that coincides with emotional reactions from others, and they have the ability to learn different languages. Poets and people who love to debate are often examples of linguistically intelligent individuals. These individuals are fluent in language, understand how to use words or phrases, and can use imagery to draw in an audience. These individuals are persuasive and have fluent ideas. Four famous individuals that are considered to be linguistically intelligent are: Shakespeare, Martin Luther King, Jr., J.K. Rowling, and Tom Hiddleston. These four individuals have the common theme of being good with words and languages.
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Video Transcript
Introduction to Linguistic Intelligence
Have you ever been told that you have a way with words? Maybe you enjoy writing and giving public speeches. Are you good at persuading people to see your point of view through spoken or written language? If so, you have demonstrated linguistic intelligence.
Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences
Linguistic intelligence is one of eight intelligences that was introduced by Howard Gardner, a developmental psychologist, in 1983. Before this point, intelligence had been treated as one single trait. Gardner proposed that there are eight different types of intelligences and that each one is independent of the other. The eight intelligences are:
- Musical intelligence: includes the ability to distinguish between music and sound patterns, rhythms, etc.
- Visual/spatial intelligence: includes the ability to detect different patterns and designs in places and use or manipulate them
- Body/kinesthetic intelligence: includes athleticism and the ability to effectively use the human body
- Naturalistic intelligence: includes the ability to distinguish between different elements in the environment and knowledge about nature
- Interpersonal intelligence: includes the ability to relate to others and understand them
- Intrapersonal intelligence: includes a deep understanding of oneself and one's limitations and goals
- Logical/mathematical intelligence: includes deductive reasoning, critical thinking skills, and understanding of complex mathematical equations
- Linguistic intelligence: includes the ability to persuade others using words, creative writing skills, and the ability to pick up on other languages easily
It is important to note that just because you have high intelligence on one area, it does not mean that you have high intelligence in another area. Our levels of intelligence on the different types are independent of one another. For example, a choir director may be good at picking up on the different rhythms and sounds in the voices of the choir members (musical intelligence) but may be physically weak and not good at sports (body/kinesthetic intelligence).
What Is Linguistic Intelligence?
Maya Angelou, William Shakespeare, and Oprah Winfrey are famous people who have high linguistic intelligence. In other words, they have a deep understanding and appreciation of the rules and functions of language. People with linguistic intelligence are skilled writers and speakers. They can understand the languages and words of others more easily, and can learn foreign languages much faster than the average person.
They are able to use vocabulary to express themselves clearly and precisely. They can convey meaning and emotions in their words. They are good at imagery and inciting emotional reactions in others by using their words. They are also good at descriptive language and make excellent storytellers.
People with linguistic intelligence are known to:
- Be skilled at oral and written communication
- Make good spellers, writers, and public speakers
- Enjoy debating and word games
- Easily understand jokes, idioms, riddles, and puns
- Enjoy reading and writing
- Enjoy and easily learn foreign languages
- Take in information from lectures and discussions easily
- Be skilled at using language as a means to an end
- Be skilled at explaining things to others
- Be good at remembering quotes and sayings
Examples of Linguistic Intelligence
Children's author Dr. Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel) was skilled at word play and using language to teach children about different sounds, animals, colors, etc. His books are very effective learning tools for children and are read worldwide.
Actors, actresses, and playwrights use their words to convey the meaning and emotions of the characters that they portray. Politicians, such as Barack Obama and John McCain, are skilled at the art of debate and often travel the U.S. using their words and public speaking skills to gather support for their causes. College professors and lecturers rely on their ability to describe concepts in detail and ability to explain things clearly to teach their students new concepts.
Lesson Summary
Introduced by Howard Gardner in his theory of multiple intelligences, the term linguistic intelligence refers to a deep understanding and appreciation of the rules and functions of language. People with linguistic intelligence, such as J. R. R. Tolkien, are skilled at using language to achieve their goals. They also make good lawyers, storytellers, actors, and professors.
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Linguistic Intelligence | Definition, Characteristics & Examples
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