1. What’s your story? How did you get into all these languages?

I have always been fascinated by languages since an early age. Like many British kids, my first real experience started at school with French and German. I always got good grades in these languages, and I didn’t really find them too difficult. I had a break from learning languages for some years, however, my interest was rekindled with Spanish when I made friends with some visitors to my home area. It didn’t take long for this to turn into a passion for languages and then start looking into other languages like Italian, Czech and Russian. I realised my time was limited, so I focused on spending most of my free time learning Spanish as I wanted to speak it fluently.

2. Which language(s) do you wish you could spend more time practising?

To be honest, all of them! If I could clone myself, then it would be the perfect solution. For the last couple of years, I have become more interested in minority, endangered and lesser used languages, so if I had to choose, then it would probably be to get really fluent in a few of these languages.

3. What are some languages you’d like to learn in the future?

The list seems endless. Nahuatl, Occitan, Dutch, Swedish, Indonesian, Hawaiian, Tajik, Swahili, Tamazight and Japanese are the first ones that spring to mind.

4. So let’s be honest, what’s the sexiest language?

Probably Italian or Brazilian Portuguese.

5. What’s the greatest pleasure you get from speaking so many languages?

I believe the quote by Charlemagne sums it up nicely: “To have another language is to possess a second soul.” Language and culture are interwoven, so when we have the opportunity to learn another language this can profoundly enrich our cultural experience and to embrace the diversity that we have in the world.

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 sincerely hope not. I believe there will be more dominant languages, however, as long as people and education are aware that there is value in diversity and work at maintaining languages alive by enabling children to be exposed to more than one language, then we can continue have a mosaic of languages and cultures to exist.

7. What is your message to young (and not so young) people out there who are interested in studying multiple languages?

Choose the languages that passion you the most. If you are able to spend time in the country where you can have meaningful experiences, immersing yourself in the language and culture, this will enable you to reach your goal of communicating. Practice often as you can and take every opportunity to learn, practicing all the core skills of speaking, reading writing and listening. If you have an open and curious mind, you will find opportunities and be able to enjoy the journey.