People who speak the most languages in the world

07/06/2024

When you talk about polyglots, you mean people who speak a striking number of languages. But what exactly does that mean? And who are the most famous polyglots? Let’s delve into the fascinating world of polyglots together.

What is a Polyglot?

A polyglot is someone who speaks three or more languages at a high level. For most people, learning just two languages is a challenge. Polyglots, on the other hand, can express themselves in German, English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese and so on. Sometimes they speak up to 20 or 30 languages!

Of course, there are differences in when it comes to their ability. Some polyglots are only “passively multilingual” – they can understand languages but cannot speak them perfectly. Others are “actively multilingual” and can express themselves effortlessly in all their languages.

Neuroplasticity and language learning

But what distinguishes the language geniuses from others who have more difficulty learning languages? Studies using imaging techniques have shown that in polyglots, areas such as Broca’s area (responsible for language production) and Wernicke’s area (responsible for language comprehension) show increased grey matter and stronger activation. This indicates that learning several languages leads to a re-organisation and an increase in efficiency in these language-relevant brain regions.

Cognitive control and executive functions

Another key factor in the language aptitude of polyglots is their strong cognitive control skills and executive functions. These enable them to switch seamlessly between different languages and avoid interferences.

The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, a brain region responsible for cognitive control and attention control, shows increased activity and structural changes in polyglots. This helps them to recall the correct language in the right context and to switch between language systems.

The most famous polyglots

One thing that unites all polyglots is their insatiable hunger for languages. Let’s take a closer look at some of the world’s most famous polyglots:

Ziad Fazah

Ziad Fazah was born in Lebanon and can speak over 58 languages. His mother tongues are Arabic and French. He is a world-renowned polyglot and linguist who leads seminars on multilingualism. Fazah sees languages as the key to other cultures and ways of thinking.

Sir John Bowring

In the first half of the 19th century, Sir John Bowring was a British diplomat and writer. He could speak over 200 languages and dialects at some level! To this day, Bowring is the polyglot speaking the most known languages.

Steve Kaufmann

Canadian Steve Kaufmann is a modern-day polyglot who speaks over 20 languages. He is a pioneer of online language learning and founded the LingQ platform. Kaufmann sees language learning as a lifelong endeavour and motivates others with his experiences.

Tips for language learning

When you’re talking about polyglots, you can’t help but look at their tips and tricks. Let’s summarise some of the most important pieces of advice:

Stay motivated: language learning is a marathon, not a sprint. Maintain long-term motivation and enjoy the journey.
Make it your passion: polyglots are really obsessed with languages. Find your inner fascination for it.
Use the right tools: books, films, music, apps – there are countless resources for learning. Find out what suits you best.
Talk, talk, talk: Practise actively whenever you can. Talk to yourself, friends or online communities.
Keep at it: you can never learn a language perfectly. Maintain a learning attitude and don’t be satisfied with what you already know.

To summarise, multilingualism is something very special. Polyglots are people who see the world through different eyes and overcome language barriers. Nevertheless, anyone can learn languages – as long as they have the motivation and interest in foreign cultures. Perhaps you would like to share your personal learning tips, challenges and opinions on language learning with us? We look forward to hearing your tips and tricks, just shoot us an email:info@delicatext.ch.