The International Association
of Hyperpolyglots
HYPIA
Est. 2016

Interview with
Tharles Dias de Oliveira
Name: Tharles Dias de Oliveira
Nationality or Ethnicity: Brazilian
Where do you live?: Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
Languages: Portuguese (native), Spanish (C1), English (C1), French, (C1), Italian (B2), Japanese (B1/N4) and Slovak (A2)
Member since:
2024-10-22
1. What’s your story? How did you get into all these languages?
As a young boy growing up in Brazil, I started immersing myself in the English language at the age of 6 in order to play video games. I actually spent my whole childhood immersing myself in this language through video games, series, movies, songs, trading card games, websites, and so on. Furthermore, I started dancing from a very young age, then I was also immersed in Spanish while I was dancing salsa, tango and bolero. I also heard a lot of French while dancing Brazilian zouk. Those experiences sparked curiosity in me and got me closer to those languages. After some years I realized that I could learn on my own, by teaching myself, instead of learning from what I was taught in school. That’s when I finally fell in love with the process and started having fun. Some years later I thought that It would be a nice idea to share my language learning process with other people, so through my Youtube channel I thrived to cover my language learning process and some tips in order to help people to learn languages as well.
As I was improving my language skills and getting great results, I applied to be a language tutor on some online platforms such as Italki and Preply. I've taught people from all continents in the world, helping them practice languages, acquire new vocabulary and improve their grammar skills. Nowadays I’ve more than 5 years of experience teaching online in different languages and more than 2 years teaching French to Brazilians and Portuguese speakers, volunteering my time to those who couldn’t afford lessons but had a deep desire to learn. For me, this was more than just a hobby, it was a mission, a nice mission to have. I remembered my own struggles, the endless nights of repetition, the frustration of trying to remember the subtle differences between similar-sounding words. Helping others through that same journey felt like giving back to a community that had enriched my life in so many ways.
And so, my journey continues. I keep learning, keep teaching, and keep sharing my passion for languages with anyone who wants to listen. For me, language is life, a never-ending adventure that has taken me literally around the globe.
2. Which language(s) do you wish you could spend more time practising?
Japanese, Italian, and Slovak/Czech are languages I deeply wish I could dedicate more time to practicing, each for different reasons that reflect both my personal and professional interests.
By spending more time practicing these languages, I would not only be improving my linguistic skills but also deepening my connection to the cultures that speak them. Language, after all, is more than just words—it’s a gateway to understanding how people think, express themselves, and view the world. If given the opportunity, I would focus more on conversational practice, language immersion, and cultural exploration to fully integrate these languages into my life.
3. What are some languages you’d like to learn in the future?
Languages I’d like to learn in the future: Mandarin, Korean, Russian, and German. As a polyglot and language enthusiast, I’m constantly seeking to broaden my linguistic horizons. Learning new languages is more than just a hobby for me, it’s a way to connect with different cultures, engage with diverse communities, and continue challenging myself intellectually. The languages I’m particularly eager to learn next are Mandarin, Korean, Russian, and German. Each one offers its own set of unique challenges and cultural richness, which makes them especially appealing to me.
By learning Mandarin, Korean, Russian, and German, I would not only expand my language skills but also gain a deeper understanding of four vastly different cultures and their contributions to the world. Each language offers unique challenges, from tonal pronunciation in Mandarin to the complex cases in Russian, but overcoming these difficulties is part of what makes language learning such a rewarding experience. I am eager to continue this journey and connect with new people, ideas, and opportunities that come with each new language.
4. So let’s be honest, what’s the sexiest language?
When it comes to "sexy" languages, French and Portuguese undoubtedly come to mind. Both languages evoke images of romance, passion, and elegance. However, the reasons behind their allure go deeper than just how they sound.
What makes a language "sexy" is a mix of its sound, cultural associations, and how it makes people feel. French and Portuguese have both mastered the art of seduction, each in their own distinct ways, making them top contenders for the sexiest languages in the world.
5. What’s the greatest pleasure you get from speaking so many languages?
The greatest pleasure I get from speaking multiple languages is the incredible range of connections it allows me to make with people from different backgrounds, the broader understanding of the world I gain, and the unlimited access to information that opens up new opportunities for learning and personal growth.
The greatest pleasure I derive from speaking multiple languages lies in the connections it allows me to make, the broader understanding of the world it provides, and the endless access to new information. Whether it’s building relationships, deepening my appreciation for global cultures, or enhancing my cognitive abilities, being multilingual enriches every aspect of my life.
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?
The idea that we might only have a few languages left in the future is a topic of debate among linguists and cultural experts. While I’m not entirely sure about the exact outcome, I do believe there is evidence to suggest that we are heading toward significant language loss. However, there are also movements in place to preserve and revitalize endangered languages, which makes the future of global linguistic diversity a bit more complex.
While it’s likely that many smaller languages will become extinct in the coming century, I’m not convinced that we’ll be left with only a handful of dominant languages.
The future of language diversity will depend on how we balance the pressures of globalization with the desire to preserve cultural heritage. In a world that’s becoming increasingly interconnected, there’s still space for both dominant global languages and the preservation of linguistic diversity.
7. What is your message to young (and not so young) people out there who are interested in studying multiple languages?
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, it’s just part of the process. My message to anyone, whether young or not-so-young, who’s interested in learning multiple languages is simple: don’t be afraid of making mistakes, it's an essential part of the process. But beyond that, I would say that language learning is not just about perfection, it's about communication, connection, and growth.