How do polyglots learn languages?



How many languages do you speak? For most people, it can be hard learning just one foreign language. Lydia Machova, a Slovakian polyglot and language mentor, is currently fluent in seven foreign languages and says she likes to learn a new language every two years! So how do polyglots like Lydia learn multiple languages successfully, and what can we learn from their methods?



Lydia wanted to find out the different techniques polyglots use, and she found a wide variety of methods. Some use language exchange apps to find native speakers so that they can start speaking from day one. Others watch series they love with subtitles, and some use techniques like 'shadowing' – listening to and repeating target language to master pronunciation.



Kato Lomb was described by the linguist Krashen as "possibly the most accomplished polyglot in the world". She was a Hungarian who spoke 16 languages! Her approach to learning focussed on extensive reading and self-study.



So, while there are lots of different approaches, in her 2019 TED Talk, Lydia concluded that the one thing polyglots all have in common is an interest and motivation to learn.



However, some linguists argue that viral videos showing polyglots switching between languages often rely on memorised phrases rather than proving genuine conversational ability. Benny Lewis, author and creator of the website Fluent in 3 Months, thinks it's important to be open and honest about your competency in a language. He discusses having varying levels of proficiency in the languages he speaks, from basic conversation to near-native fluency.



So, the professionals say enjoy yourself when learning. We recommend you try some of these suggestions, find the right method for you and stick to it!



词汇表

Slovakian [sləˈvækiən] 斯洛伐克的；斯洛伐克人；斯洛伐克语

polyglot [ˈpɒliɡlɒt] 多语言者，通晓多种语言的人

mentor [ˈmentɔː(r)] 导师，指导者

multiple languages [ˈmʌltɪpl] 多种语言

language exchange 语言交换，语言交流，找语伴

subtitle [ˈsʌbtaɪtl] （影视节目的）字幕

shadowing [ˈʃædəʊɪŋ] 影子跟读法（语言学习技巧，指紧跟原语发音重复）

target language 目标语言（指学习者想要掌握的语言）

linguist [ˈlɪŋɡwɪst] 语言学家

accomplished [əˈkʌmplɪʃt] 有成就的，成功的，熟练的

Hungarian [hʌŋˈɡeəriən] 匈牙利的；匈牙利人；匈牙利语

extensive reading [ɪkˈstensɪv ˈriːdɪŋ] 泛读，广泛阅读

self-study [ˌself ˈstʌdi] 自学，自主学习

viral [ˈvaɪrəl] 快速传播的，爆火的

conversational ability [ˌkɒnvəˈseɪʃənl əˈbɪləti] 会话能力，对话能力

competency [ˈkɒmpɪtənsi] 能力，本领，胜任力

proficiency [prəˈfɪʃənsi] 熟练程度，精通

near-native fluency [ˌnɪə ˈneɪtɪv ˈfluːənsi] 接近母语的流利程度

stick to it 坚持下去，不放弃



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