ПРОБЛЕМА ДЕФІНІЦІЇ ТЕРМІНА «БІЛІНГВІЗМ»

Objectives. The present article is aimed to outline the variation of the term «bilingualism» interpretation; to figure out the subject matter of the term definition within the different approaches to the study of this phenomenon; to give a definition of bilingualism in terms of social philosophy. Methods. The objectives of the present article are completed by means of such theoretical methods as investigation, analysis and synthesis, comparison, generalization, learning of scientific research works on multilingualism. Scientific results. The variation of the term «bilingualism» interpretation by which the complex linguo-social phenomenon is defined, is highlighted; the subject matter and criteria for the term definition within the various aspects of the bilingualism study are stated; the author's definition of the term «bilingualism» in socio- philosophical conception is given. Scientific originality. As the study of the bilingualism phenomenon in the socio-philosophical aspect is just unfolding and the methodological basis development of such research is still ongoing, there is a need for comprehensive study of the bilingualism as social phenomenon and for its definition. Practical value. The author's definition of the term «bilingualism» in socio- philosophical aspect is stated.