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Interview with

Patrick Lencastre

Name: Patrick Lencastre
Nationality or Ethnicity: Brazilian
Where do you live?: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Languages: Portuguese (native), English (C2), Spanish (C2), French (C1), German (C1), Russian (C1), Ukrainian (B2), Polish (B2), Belarusian (B1), Italian (B1), Hebrew (B1), Greek (B1), Catalan (A2), Czech (A2), Macedonian (A2), Serbian (A2), Chinese (HSK2). Currently learning Korean, Slovenian, and Japanese.

Member since:

2022-09-19

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

I learned English and Spanish as a kid. French came later,  when I started working in international events like the Olympic Games.  After that, I never stopped. I lived in a German-speaking community in  Europe and worked for a German company, which pushed me to really master  the language. I started learning Russian over 12 years ago. Today, I  work as an interpreter and translator, and I co-founded my own language  school alongside my wife. We raise our four kids in a multilingual  household, and language is just part of our everyday life. I also work  as a translator for a Chinese company and have given talks in multiple  languages at some of the biggest events in the world.

Oh — and I’ve also published two books on language learning, which has been one of the most fulfilling parts of my journey.


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

Definitely Korean. I’ve been focusing mostly on speaking it with a  friend, but I really want to improve my writing and reading. I’ve also  just started exploring Slovenian and Japanese — I wish I had more hours  in the day for them.


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

I’d love to dive into Asian languages like Thai and Vietnamese at  some point. I also have a deep interest in learning an indigenous  Brazilian language — it’s a way to connect with the roots of our  continent and preserve something truly valuable.


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

Spanish — without a doubt. There’s something about the rhythm, the  passion, the confidence. It’s emotional, expressive, and always sounds  alive.


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

The look in someone’s eyes when you speak their language — especially  outside of their home country — is priceless. It creates instant  connection and mutual respect. I also love teaching and watching my  students grow and realize they can become polyglots too.


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?

Only if we let it happen. That’s why I make a point of learning and  teaching minority languages like Macedonian, Belarusian, or Catalan.  Every language holds a unique way of seeing the world. Preserving them  is something we all have a role in.


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

Go for it. There’s no such thing as “not having the talent for  languages.” What matters is curiosity, consistency, and courage. Speak  from day one, make mistakes, learn from them, and keep going. One day  you’ll look back and be amazed at how far you’ve come.

The International Association of Hyperpolyglots - HYPIA.

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