The Definition of a Polyglot

There’s no universal agreement on the number of languages one must speak to be labeled a polyglot. While some argue that speaking three languages qualifies, others set the bar at five. As a linguist, I can point out that the term “polyglot” originates from the Greek word polyglōttos, where poly- means many and glōtta refers to language.

My Language Journey

I am a native speaker of Portuguese, with English being my second language, which I learned independently before my formal education began at age ten. It’s widely acknowledged that children’s brains are naturally predisposed to learning. However, the notion that they effortlessly “absorb” languages is misleading.

Children require a nurturing and enriching environment to truly thrive linguistically. Acquiring a new language is not an instantaneous feat; it demands years of dedication. The key is to start early.

All languages possess intricacies, regardless of their perceived difficulty. Did you know that a child's brain grows roughly 80% within the first three years? Even at such a young age, children are highly sensitive, making it essential to provide stimuli that foster their development.

In our interconnected world, being bilingual or multilingual can significantly benefit a child. Thus, creating a stimulating environment during these formative years is vital. I learned English through subtitled cartoons on television, but my initial step was mastering reading, which required formal education starting around age five.

I now speak English fluently, though with a slight Portuguese accent, which stems from the fact that children lose the ability to produce new sounds around age seven. This explains why many of my non-native friends struggle with the "R" in my name, "Rui."

In the past, it was believed that children should not be exposed to a second language until after age 11. This misconception has been debunked; in Portugal today, children begin learning English in elementary school. As a language instructor, I advocated for this shift, firmly believing that starting language education before age six allows for greater phonetic development.

Investing in a child’s bilingualism or multilingualism is not merely beneficial; it can yield substantial rewards in their academic and social skills.

The MIT Research Study

With my five languages, I consider myself on the lower end of the polyglot spectrum. Some individuals, like Ziad Fazah, have claimed to speak as many as 58 languages, and Sir John Bowring was reputed to converse in 200 languages and speak 100.

A recent study involving 25 polyglots, including 16 hyper-polyglots fluent in over ten languages, utilized functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to explore how the brain processes multiple languages. Led by Evelina Fedorenko, a cognitive neuroscientist at MIT, the research aimed to uncover the workings of the language processing network in those fluent in five or more languages.

The results indicated that when these polyglots listened to languages they were most proficient in, activity surged in the cerebral cortex areas associated with language processing. This heightened activity corresponded to their fluency levels, indicating that familiarity with a language facilitates complex linguistic operations.

Interestingly, researchers noted a unique phenomenon: participants exhibited a “lazy” brain response when listening to their native language, activating only a small portion of the language network. This disparity suggests that the brain's response is influenced by both proficiency and efficiency.

Closing Thoughts

If you’ve made it this far, you might already be aware that the human brain operates similarly to the power of a standard iPhone charger. As a native Portuguese speaker, I can often take shortcuts in processing my mother tongue, requiring less cognitive effort.

Future research is poised to expand on these findings, particularly focusing on individuals who learned multiple languages from an early age. This endeavor aligns with my belief that understanding the interplay between proficiency and age of acquisition will yield valuable insights.

If you are bilingual or a polyglot, I would love to hear about your experiences with language learning!

Main References

De Houwer, Annick: "Two or More Languages in Early Childhood: Some General Points and Practical Recommendations," 1999.

The first video explores why our brains are designed for laziness, shedding light on the efficiency of our cognitive processes.

The second video features neuroscientist Andrew Huberman discussing the truths about laziness, discipline, exercise, stress, and journaling.