FROM THE OMEGA BLOG

How many languages do you need to know to call yourself polyglot?

How many languages do you need to know to call yourself polyglot?
The meaning of the word polyglot refers to the ability of a person to master multiple languages. Being polyglott not only means speaking freely in several languages, but also understanding the cultural and social nuances associated with them. The ability to communicate in different languages opens up to new opportunities and helps the deeper understanding of the world. Common combinations of languages Languages from each language group have many common or close words, so if you know one well it is easy to understand at least one or two more of the same group. If you speak French, you will certainly understand largely, for example, Spanish and Portuguese. It's the same if you know Bulgarian. Even if you can't speak them, you will surely understand at least 50 percent of Russian, Macedonian or Serbian speeches. If you make some effort and save a few more useful words, grammar and phrases from these close languages, it becomes even easier to communicate at least on the base level with their carriers. Here are some examples:  
  1. Slavic languages
    • Western Slavic - Polish, Czech Slovak;
    • Southern Slavic - Bulgarian, Macedonian, Slovenian, Serbo-Croatian;
    • Eastern Slavic - Russian, Belarusian, Ukrainian.
  2. German
    • North German /Scandian/ - Icelandic, Ferengi, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish;
    • West German - English, Dutch, German;
    • Romani - French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian.

How to Teach Them With ease

I mean, being a polyglot that somehow speaks about 10 languages is not so difficult. If you already know one or two foreign languages, just look for those close to them and get to know them. Here are some tips that will make it easier for you:
  1. Start with the nearest language;
  2. Discover words that have a common root or are very close in pronunciation and meaning;
  3. Discover similar grammatical structures;
  4. Learn basic useful phrases that are used frequently;
  5. Perfect the pronunciation - this will help you adjust to your language, but also to start understanding your fellow conversationalists more easily yourself;
  6. Study specifics in grammar - times, matriculation, prepositions.
If you already know a foreign language and are wondering who is next, you may find useful information in this article.

Maintaining a Good Level With Time

Not once have we said that the secret to a good level in every language is practicing it. It doesn't matter if you know one or more foreign languages, just use them. Of course, when we talk about polyglots that know 3, 4 or even more languages, it is important to clarify that their practice will be in relation to the extent to which they are dominated. 
  1. If you understand Russian, for example, but can't write Cyrillic, it will be difficult to practice it by writing short essays, for example. But it would be very helpful if you regularly watch Russian movies or television shows.
  2. In the languages you know and write, it is most useful to communicate with real people. If you are not able to travel to the country, find online friends.
  3. Learn every day a new word or phrase, especially in the languages you know less about. More useful practices can be found Here..
The meaning of the word polyglot is often associated with intellectual flexibility and learning ability, which are extremely valuable in the modern globalized world. It's never too late to become a polyglot, and as it turns out, it's not that hard. Choose the foreign language you want to learn and contact And with the help of our courses, you can easily improve some of the nearby languages.
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