The International Association
of Hyperpolyglots
HYPIA
Est. 2016

Interview with
Faisal Bouddour
Name: Faisal Bouddour
Nationality or Ethnicity: Moroccan
Where do you live?: Morocco
Languages: Moroccan Darija and Standard Arabic (both native), Tamazight, French, English (fluent), Spanish (lower intermediate), Italian (basic). Currently learning Chinese.
Member since:
2 de julio de 2026
1. What’s your story? How did you get into all these languages?
I'm based here in Morocco, where I work as a Bank Manager. My professional background is entirely in Commerce and Management, which is quite far removed from linguistics. This is important because it means my language journey wasn't an academic requirement—it was a personal choice that proves it's truly never too late to start.
In fact, four years ago, at the age of 30, my English was limited to maybe two full sentences. I had a clear obligation—I needed English for professional growth—and that initial need forced me to begin.
What truly transformed that obligation into passion was discovering an incredible resource: a dedicated teacher, Ibrahim Adil, from the Z American English YouTube channel. His approach made the process fun and engaging, showing me that language learning didn't have to be a chore; it could be a personal, achievable project.
Once I became comfortable with English, I realized the real joy: connection and curiosity. That's when I switched to Spanish, not out of need, but out of sheer pleasure.
From there, my path became a quest for linguistic fascination:
• The Challenge: I jumped into Chinese, one of the most spoken languages, specifically because I was captivated by the characters. I found that learning the language was like deciphering a beautiful, ancient puzzle—the history and stories behind each character are an absolute joy.
• The Sound: I returned to the Romance family with Italian, which, to me, is pure music. Every sound and inflection is a tone to be savored.
• The Practicality: And finally, I’m currently focused on French because of its professional necessity here in Morocco.
In short, I started with a need, discovered the pleasure, and now I pursue languages because they offer a unique window into different cultures and ways of thinking. My fluency in Classical Arabic as a Moroccan is the bedrock that allows me to appreciate the structure and nuance of other languages.
2. Which language(s) do you wish you could spend more time practising?
The language I really wish I could practice more, without a doubt, is Chinese (Mandarin). I love this language, but it's also my biggest challenge right now. I have two main reasons for needing more time with it:
The Difficult Tones: The characters are fascinating, but the four main tones are very hard. If I want to sound natural, my mouth and ear must train a lot. It's not enough to speak and be understood; I want to speak correctly. This needs a lot of focused practice.
Using Modern Tools: Luckily, today, we live in the AI period! I am trying to use some AI tools to practice my Chinese. For example, I use apps that can listen to my voice and tell me if my tones are correct. I wish I had more hours in the day to use these tools for speaking practice.
3. What are some languages you’d like to learn in the future?
For now, my main goal is to focus and master the languages I have already learned. It’s important to me to improve my Italian, Spanish, and especially my Chinese, before I start a new one.
However, I always have my eye on the next linguistic challenge! In the future, I have a clear list of languages I really want to discover. German would be a great language to learn next. I want to challenge myself with its grammar and structure, as it's very different from the Romance languages I know. Russian has a completely different script and a rich culture. I am fascinated by the idea of learning a Slavic language. Learning Hebrew would give me a new perspective on Semitic languages, similar to Arabic, but with its own unique history.
So, while my polyglot curiosity is always ready to start, my discipline says, 'Focus first!' I want to make sure I am strong in my current languages before I jump into a new family of languages.
4. So let’s be honest, what’s the sexiest language?
For me, the sexiest language is definitely Italian. I have a true love for the sounds of this language. When I hear Italian, it sounds like pure music to my ear. Every word and every phrase has a wonderful, charming rhythm and a wonderful flow.
5. What’s the greatest pleasure you get from speaking so many languages?
The greatest pleasure I get from speaking many languages comes down to two very important things: knowledge and connection.
I have never felt more knowledgeable or comfortable in my own understanding of the world. For example, learning the stories behind the Chinese characters is not just memorizing words—it’s like opening an entire book of history and culture. This deepens my perspective every day.
The second pleasure is the incredible feeling of communication. Today, I feel that I have a good command of my speaking skills, and I can now communicate with potentially more than three billion people in the world! That is truly amazing.
But it’s not just about the numbers. This skill has also improved my communication right here in Morocco, even in my mother tongue. I am now better at talking with everyone, from the older generation to the younger Gen Z.
In short, the pleasure is feeling smart because I understand the world better, and feeling connected because I can talk to anyone
6. Some people say the world is really just going to have a few languages left in a 100 years, do you think this is really true?
I absolutely don't agree 100% with the idea that the world will only have a few languages left in 100 years. While it is true that some languages are currently in danger and may disappear, I think the number of languages overall will increase or stay strong, not decrease so much.
There are a number of reasons.
First, new languages emerge: Language is a living thing. Every year, we see new ways of speaking, new slang, or even entirely new languages and dialects that take the place of others. When groups of people communicate in new ways, a new form of language is born. This process will continue.
Second, culture is strong: People are very proud of their language and culture. We use language to show who we are. Because of the internet and modern tools, communities around the world are now better at recording and teaching their local languages. This makes them stronger.
So, I think the world will remain a linguistically rich place. We will see changes, but not a massive loss. We should worry about preserving all languages, but I believe the total number of languages will actually increase because people always find new ways to express themselves
7. What is your message to young (and not so young) people out there who are interested in studying multiple languages?
My message to everyone interested in studying multiple languages, both young and not so young, is simple and comes from my own experience:
- Just Start and Don't Be Afraid
The most important step is to just begin. Don't be afraid of making mistakes. Think of learning a language like starting an exciting trip or climbing a great mountain. You can't reach the top if you don't take the first step.
- Be Focused, Patient, and Enjoy the Trip. Progress takes time. Be kind to yourself! Spend time every day, even if it’s just ten minutes. And enjoy! This is the most important thing! Find the pleasure in the sounds, the culture, and the connection. If you enjoy it, you will never stop.
- Remember: Consistency is Power. Without consistency, you cannot reach your goal. Don't study for ten hours one day and then stop for two weeks. Study for a small time every single day. Consistency is the secret key to becoming a successful polyglot. So, be brave, be consistent, and enjoy your amazing journey!