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

I grew up in San Sebastián, in the Basque Country, just 20 km from the French border. Bilingualism was simply my reality from an early age. At home and with my family, I spoke one language (Spanish), while at school and with friends I used another (Basque).

Like many Basque-speaking children, my sister and I loved having a language that some people around us (especially our parents) couldn’t understand. It gave us a sense of freedom and made me realize early on how languages can open doors to entirely new realities and possibilities.

Because France was only a short drive away, we crossed the border frequently. Every visit felt like stepping into a different world waiting to be discovered, and I quickly learned that languages (in this case, French) were the key to accessing it.

I also remember starting to learn English and suddenly being able to chat online with people from all over the world through Messenger and the old chat rooms of the time. It felt magical.

Since then, languages have always felt like passports to new worlds that I’m excited to explore.

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

It may sound funny, but Dutch. I live in the Netherlands, yet my environment is so international that I sometimes feel I’m forgetting my Dutch rather than improving it. Over the past year, I’ve made a conscious effort to use it whenever possible, at the town hall, with my family doctor, and now at my children’s school.

Italian is also in maintenance mode at the moment, and I miss dedicating more time to this beautiful language. For now, I’m keeping it alive through reading and participating in Italian book clubs.

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

I have a few in mind. The first is Japanese, which I only recently started learning. I’m currently in the honeymoon phase: I’m fascinated by the writing systems and, surprisingly, some aspects of the grammar remind me of Basque!

I’d also love to return to German. At one point I spoke it at around a B2 level, but it seems my brain decided to erase most traces of German when I started learning Dutch! Every now and then I feel tempted to dive back into it, but I’d like to feel more confident in Dutch before taking on another Germanic language.

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

I used to think it was Brazilian Portuguese, perhaps because I lived in Brazil for several years and married a Brazilian! Lately, though, I’ve found myself charmed by Italian and French as well. Ask me again in a year and the answer might be different 🙂

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

For me, the greatest pleasure comes from the learning process itself: discovering patterns, making connections, and reflecting on how language and culture influence one another. I’m fascinated by questions such as: What concepts have their own words? Which ones don’t? How does a language express gender, politeness, or relationships?

With every language I learn I feel that I gain access to new perspectives and new ways of seeing the world. Languages make me feel free, more curious, alive and ultimately more human.

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 hope not, although I wouldn’t be entirely surprised. Some languages are clearly gaining influence while others are losing speakers. Fortunately, there are many passionate people who care deeply about preserving linguistic diversity, especially minority languages.

I believe that with support from both language enthusiasts and governments, many of these languages can continue to thrive. Languages are more than communication tools, they carry history, culture, identity, and unique ways of understanding the world, that are worth preserving.

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

Go for it. Believe in yourself and enjoy the process.

Every language you learn opens the door to a new world, and even to new sides of your own identity. Don’t let anyone convince you that learning multiple languages is impossible or impractical.

My father tried very hard to convince me that learning English and German at the same time wasn't realistic. Looking back, that may have been one of the building blocks that turned me into someone completely obsessed with learning languages.

You don’t need a special talent. Curiosity, consistency, and enthusiasm will take you much further than people think.