linguist

[ ling-gwist ]

/ ˈlɪŋ gwɪst /

a specialist in linguistics.

a person who is skilled in several languages; polyglot.

Origin of linguist

1580–90; < Latin lingu(a) tongue, speech + -ist

But as linguist Mark Liberman notes at Language Log, the president used the word “I” exactly 10 times in that speech.

Why the Right Thinks Obama’s a Narcissist—and Why They’re Wrong |John McWhorter |September 18, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
For example, the creator/writer of Alice in Arabia is Brooke Eikmeier, a former US Army linguist in Arabic.

Hollywood’s Major Muslim Problem Doesn't End With 'Alice in Arabia' |Dean Obeidallah |March 22, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Linguist Geoffrey Nunberg gives the A-word the biography it so richly deserves.

‘Ascent of the A-Word:’ The Beauty of the Indispensable Vulgarity |Malcolm Jones |August 17, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
Hermione, on the other hand, was gifted as a linguist, loving languages and learning them easily.

The Call of the Blood |Robert Smythe Hichens

Mr. B. was a profound classic and linguist and member of several learned societies in England and abroad.

The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction, Vol. 12, Issue 323, July 19, 1828 |Various
As an antiquarian and linguist, he unites qualities precious for the due appreciation of Spain.

Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 61, No. 380, June, 1847 |Various
The vessel was commanded by Turnel, Argall's lieutenant, apparently an officer of merit, a scholar and linguist.

Pioneers Of France In The New World |Francis Parkman, Jr.
But he did notice the extreme improbability of an Englishman being a linguist.

Command |William McFee

linguist

/ (ˈlɪŋɡwɪst) /

a person who has the capacity to learn and speak foreign languages

a person who studies linguistics

Western African and esp Ghanaian the spokesman for a chief

C16: from Latin lingua tongue