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

My language journey began when I was four years old. My parents enrolled me into the Denver International School where I spent half my day in French and half my day in English. I excelled in language studies, amongst other subjects, and developed a particular interest in learning about different peoples and cultures, often studying world maps or reading books about new countries. I believe it is at this point my ‘language itch’, as I refer to it, established itself. After several years of learning French, I ended up moving to a Jewish day school where I learned Modern Hebrew and Torah Hebrew. Once again, I was fortunate to add yet another language to my arsenal and found myself loving the learning of a new language and, of course, wanting to learn more. When I moved to public school in the 6th grade, I then took up Spanish, reaching an AP level, and, in high school, I furthered my earlier French studies with AP studies, as well. During my university years, I double-majored in Linguistics (with a focus in sociolinguistics) and Middle Eastern Studies (with a focus in Arabic language). I had spent time in Middlebury’s program in Jordan learning Levantine dialect and had honed my skills to the point that when I eventually moved to Israel and had to complete my mandatory military service, I served in the Arabic Spokesperson Unit. After leaving the army, I embarked on teaching myself Italian and have been studying it for the last 5 years, having travelled there many times to practice my skills. Lately, due to military reserves, I have undertaken learning Farsi, and remain at a conversational level, while recently embarking on Japanese studies.

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

I wish I could spend more time on Japanese at the moment since I find the new writing system a bit of a challenge.

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

I think before I die I’d like to learn four more languages: Russian, Greek, Turkish, and Ancient Akkadian.

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

Italian, hands down, no competitors.

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

Being able to bond with people instantly, especially abroad or in business situations. Speaking someone’s language is most definitely the quickest way to break the ice, and even more so when it seems totally unexpected. For example, I love walking into Arabic coffee lounges and speaking Arabic, because they always answer with a sense of surprise, yet appreciation. And, they may even throw in a free coffee.

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?

Not at all. With AI translators, it may become easier to break the ‘language code’, leading to a lesser need for translators/interpreters or, sadly, even learning languages. But people and cultures will remain distinct, that’s just human nature.

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

Go for it. Each language opens up another world, history, value system, and perspective unto itself. You’ll connect with people you’d never imagine, and learn things, true things, that no one can take away from you. And, if anything, it at least staves off dementia. ;)