Polyglot (person)
Encyclopedia
A polyglot is someone with a high degree of proficiency in several languages. A bilingual person can speak two languages fluently, whereas a trilingual three; above that the term multilingual may be used.

Hyperpolyglot

A hyperpolyglot is one who can speak six or more language
Language
Language may refer either to the specifically human capacity for acquiring and using complex systems of communication, or to a specific instance of such a system of complex communication...

s fluently. The term was coined by the linguist
Linguistics
Linguistics is the scientific study of human language. Linguistics can be broadly broken into three categories or subfields of study: language form, language meaning, and language in context....

 Richard Hudson
Richard Hudson
Richard “Dick” Hudson is a British linguist. He has lived in England for most of his life . He turned into a linguist via Loughborough Grammar School in Leicestershire , Corpus Christi College, Cambridge and the School of Oriental and African Studies...

 in 2003 and derives from the word "polyglot", meaning one who can speak multiple languages.

Notable Hyperpolyglot:
  • Jose Rizal
    José Rizal
    José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda , was a Filipino polymath, patriot and the most prominent advocate for reform in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era. He is regarded as the foremost Filipino patriot and is listed as one of the national heroes of the Philippines by...

     - Spoke 22 Languages of the World
  • Harold Williams - Spoke over 58 Languages of the World
  • Faizan Ali Varya - Spoke 26 Languages of the World
  • Ziad Fazah
    Ziad Fazah
    Ziad Youssef Fazah is a Liberian-born Lebanese polyglot. Fazah himself claims to speak 59 languages and maintains that he has proved this in several television shows, where he "successfully" communicated with native speakers of a large number of foreign languages.The Guinness Book of World...

     (disputed)- Spoke 58 Languages of the World. The only proof is a video on Youtube from the TV-Show "Viva el lunes" in which he isn't able to answer quesions properly in different languages.

Learning abilities

There are several theories as to why some people learn many languages with relative ease, while others struggle learning even one foreign language.

The neuroscientist Katrin Amunts studied the brain
Brain
The brain is the center of the nervous system in all vertebrate and most invertebrate animals—only a few primitive invertebrates such as sponges, jellyfish, sea squirts and starfishes do not have one. It is located in the head, usually close to primary sensory apparatus such as vision, hearing,...

 of Emil Krebs
Emil Krebs
Emil Krebs was a German polyglot and sinologist. He mastered 68 languages in speech and writing and studied 120 other languages.-The early years:...

 and determined that the area of Krebs' brain responsible for language—Broca's area
Broca's area
Broca's area is a region of the hominid brain with functions linked to speech production.The production of language has been linked to the Broca’s area since Pierre Paul Broca reported impairments in two patients. They had lost the ability to speak after injury to the posterior inferior frontal...

—was organized differently than in monolingual men. On the other hand, the neurolinguist Loraine Obler has suggested a link with the Geschwind–Galaburda cluster, which shows a high coincidence of left-handed
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...

ness, auto-immune disorders, learning disorders and talents in art
Art
Art is the product or process of deliberately arranging items in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions, and intellect....

, mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...

 and, possibly, languages.

Highest claims

  • Uku Masing
    Uku Masing
    Uku Masing was an Estonian philosopher, translator, theologist and folklorist. He developed Estonian analytical philosophy. Masing also wrote poetry, mostly on religious issues...

     (1909–1985), an Estonian linguist, theologian, ethnologist, and poet. Claim: fluent in approximately 65 languages, translated from 20.
  • Harold Williams (1876–1928), New Zealand journalist and linguist. Claim: over 58 languages.
  • Ziad Fazah
    Ziad Fazah
    Ziad Youssef Fazah is a Liberian-born Lebanese polyglot. Fazah himself claims to speak 59 languages and maintains that he has proved this in several television shows, where he "successfully" communicated with native speakers of a large number of foreign languages.The Guinness Book of World...

     (1954– ), raised in Lebanon
    Lebanon
    Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...

    , living in Brazil
    Brazil
    Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...

     since the 1970s. Claim: speaks, reads and understands 58 languages. Claim disputed, however.
  • Giuseppe Mezzofanti (1774-1849), Italian Cardinal, fluently spoke 39 languages.
  • Mario Pei
    Mario Pei
    Mario Andrew Pei was an Italian-American linguist and polyglot, who wrote a number of popular books known for their accessibility to readers who lack a professional background in linguistics.-Life:...

     (1901-1978), Italian-American linguist and writer. Claim: fluent in at least 38 languages and acquainted with the structure of over 100 of the world's languages.
  • Emil Krebs
    Emil Krebs
    Emil Krebs was a German polyglot and sinologist. He mastered 68 languages in speech and writing and studied 120 other languages.-The early years:...

     (1867-1930) German polyglot and sinologist. He mastered 68 languages in speech and writing and studied 120 other languages.

External links

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