Examples of monolingual countries include:
* Japan: The official language is Japanese, and other languages like English are only used in specific contexts, such as business and tourism.
* Iceland: Icelandic is the official language, and while other languages like English are spoken by some, they are not widely used in public life.
* Portugal: Portuguese is the official language, and while some people speak other languages like Spanish or English, they are not officially recognized or widely used.
It's important to note that:
* The definition of "monolingual" can be debated. Some countries may have multiple official languages but one language is more dominant in public life, making them essentially monolingual for practical purposes.
* Even in monolingual countries, there may be regional dialects or minority languages spoken. These languages may not be officially recognized but still play an important role in local communities.
* The concept of a "monolingual" country is constantly evolving. Globalization and migration are increasing language diversity in many countries, even those traditionally considered monolingual.
Overall, while the concept of a monolingual country is a simplified view of language diversity, it can be helpful for understanding the dominant language and its role in the country's society and culture.