linguist; language expert
Refers to a person who studies languages academically or is highly skilled in languages. Can be used for both professional linguists and polyglots.
As a linguist, he studies many languages.
To become a linguist, knowledge of linguistics is necessary.
Compound of 語 (language) + 学 (study) + 者 (person). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the kanji composition directly reflects the meaning 'one who studies language'.