Languages are a curious thing; every single one of us speaks at least one, yet there are some people who can speak up to 5 times that amount. Research shows that an estimated 7 thousand languages exist around the world and that the majority of those languages, some 90%, are spoken by a very small amount of people, about 100 thousand!
As a bilingual person who speaks both Spanish and English fluently, I was always amazed by people capable of speaking more than several languages. Because I have been speaking both of these popular languages since I was young, learning them was never difficult for me, in fact, I don’t even remember the process. I do however, recall back in high school when I took several courses in French and could not seem to grasp the new language. Interesting since French is one of the Romance languages and thus has many similarities with Spanish as well as English. Why is it then, that there are people capable of learning, retaining, and putting into practice new languages?
Known as “Polyglots”, these are those special people who are able to speak usually more than four languages with a great deal of efficiency. While the definition varies between those who can read, write, and speak several languages (one may be able to speak better than they can write, or perhaps not at all), the term itself is many times used interchangeably. Many have theorized why some attain this ability, but not one is known to be the one true cause. A popular one is based on the fact that some people are very good at learning new languages simply because they possess a strong desire and passion to learning it. Also, there is the idea that if you think something will be difficult (as in my case) then it usually will be and you will struggle. Some scientists claim that brain asymmetry, genes, and even hormone levels can alter one’s ability to excel at languages. In fact, some conclude that certain brain areas are larger and more efficient in those who acquire this.
Do you know anyone who speaks more than three or four languages? Are you often amazed at their amazing ability to do so?
Tags: English, French, languages, polyglots, research, Romance languages, Spanish
A very interesting article indeed.
Once I developed the capability to put Spanish aside and think in a second language, learning a third one was less of a difficulty, bar the inherent hurdles a new tongue – in my case German – entailed. Also, learniing foreign languages helped me improve and love my home language.
Keep up the good writing!
Javier
Hi! In fact i speack more than four languages and sometimes is dificult when you are speacking and mix some words and then finish to confuse the language I was spoken….I don’t think I’m polyglot but it is easy to some people to speack languages..like some people to be scientists …when you have facilities and you like what you do..then it is only to work on it…and day by day working in it you became stronger .
Hello..My name is Salim..I am Algerian and I live in San Antonio , Texas..I speak five languages fluently Arabic, French, English , Spanish and German…I have also knowledge of 7 other languages..Smile for me
Nice post, you raise interesting questions!
I know several people who can speak more than four languages with a high degree of proficiency (including my wife who has always made me jealous, but I’m working on it).
In fact, I would not consider speaking four languages as polyglotism since this is a very common characteristic of remote cultures, such as those of central Asia or of Amazonia where the urban space and the state power cannot assimilate the “other” (thereby killing its language) – Let’s not forget that the modern city of so-called “developed” countries, is one of the main factor of language death, especially when a major lingua franca is present.
Think about it: if you are Spanish, the probability that Castellano is not your mother tongue is slim. And the chance that you speak at least two languages which are native of Spain, but that you do not speak Castellano is inexistent (I’m prepared to bet on that).
Another major factor that blurs the picture (and indeed you’ve pinned it down) is the fact that some definitions of “polyglotism” are based on post-industrial concepts: they are many languages in this world that simply cannot be written. That means the speakers have less to learn (from a purely linguistic point of view that is).
I’m no expert on the topic but I’ve been told several times by different people that real polyglotism really starts after six languages. That is meant to be a real barrier. Again, I’m not sure about this. It’s probably easier to learn six romance languages than six languages from six different families, but I’d love to hear from someone who’s tried.
Thank you for this interesting article anyway!
[...] Traducción del original de Victoria V. [...]