How I speak six languages at 26

Summary

Maya shares her journey of learning six languages by the age of 26, starting with English, her native language, followed by French, German, Spanish, Arabic, and Portuguese. She recounts her experiences growing up in multicultural environments, her struggles with language proficiency, and how traveling and living in different countries shaped her language skills. Maya highlights her love for Spanish, her desire to improve her Arabic, and her fascination with Brazilian culture, making a compelling case for how learning languages can connect you to diverse cultures and experiences.

Takeaways

• 😀 Maya speaks six languages by the age of 26, starting with English as one of her native languages.
• 😀 Despite having an American father, Maya didn't have a strong American accent, as she never lived in the US for an extended period.
• 😀 Maya initially responded to her father in French, even though he spoke English, because French was the language she felt most comfortable in during her childhood.
• 😀 At around 10 years old, Maya's father became stricter about her speaking English, prompting a shift towards responding in English more often.
• 😀 Maya's dominant language is now English, largely due to her time at an English-speaking university in Canada, which deepened her use of the language.
• 😀 French, which Maya spoke fluently, was once her most comfortable language, but over time, English has gradually replaced it as her dominant language.
• 😀 German became part of Maya's linguistic repertoire after attending a French school in Berlin and later completing the AbiBac program (French Baccalauréat + German Abitur).
• 😀 Maya spent time in Germany and feels that, although she still uses German for certain practical situations, she doesn't speak it as frequently in daily life as she once did.
• 😀 Spanish became a passion for Maya after early exposure in southern Spain and continued as she worked in Bolivia and traveled through Latin America, fostering a deep connection with the language.
• 😀 Maya has been learning Arabic since 2020, though her proficiency is still basic, and she continues to improve by interacting with native speakers and traveling to Arabic-speaking regions.
• 😀 Portuguese became a focus for Maya this year as part of her dream to visit Brazil, and her prior knowledge of Spanish made learning Portuguese easier, especially with support from friends.

Q & A

How did Maya first learn English, and what was her relationship with the language as a child?

Maya learned English from her father, who is from California, and he spoke to her and her sister in English from an early age. Although she never lived in the U.S., she was raised in Paris and always understood English perfectly, but she felt more comfortable speaking French, especially with her family and at school.

What caused Maya to become more proficient in English as she got older?

Maya's proficiency in English increased when she attended an English-speaking university in Canada. The immersion in an English environment made English her dominant language, as she used it more frequently in her daily life, both socially and professionally.

Why did Maya initially prefer French over English, and how did this change as she grew older?

Maya preferred French because it was the language she was most comfortable with growing up, especially since she was educated in the French system. As she grew older and spent more time in English-speaking environments, particularly at university, English gradually became her dominant language.

How did Maya’s father influence her ability to speak English?

Maya’s father influenced her English by insisting that she and her sister respond to him in English starting at age 10. Before that, Maya had responded to him in French, knowing he would understand, but his stricter approach helped her become more fluent in English.

What role does French play in Maya’s life now, and how does she feel about it?

French is still considered one of Maya’s native languages, but she feels discomfort when speaking it sometimes. This happens because, in her daily life, she speaks more English and other languages, making it harder for her to express herself naturally in French at times.

What was Maya's experience learning German, and how did her schooling in Berlin influence her skills?

Maya learned German while growing up in Berlin, where she attended a French school. She participated in the AbiBac program, combining the French Baccalauréat and the German Abitur, which strengthened her German. However, as an adult, she uses German less frequently, limiting her fluency despite living in Germany.

How did Maya’s time in Latin America impact her proficiency in Spanish?

Maya’s proficiency in Spanish was greatly enhanced by her travels to Latin America, particularly Bolivia, where she worked in an NGO with children. Her immersion in Spanish-speaking environments, along with her love for the language, deepened her understanding and fluency, making Spanish one of her most beloved languages.

What motivated Maya to start learning Arabic, and what challenges did she face in the process?

Maya was motivated to learn Arabic after her travels to the Middle East, particularly Jordan. However, she faced challenges in maintaining consistent study, and although her Arabic is still at a beginner level, she continues to learn, focusing on the Levantine dialect.

What sparked Maya’s interest in learning Portuguese, and how has she found the process of learning it?

Maya’s interest in Portuguese was sparked by her fascination with Brazilian culture, including its music, landscapes, and lively atmosphere. Since she already spoke Spanish, she found learning Portuguese relatively easy and enjoys using it to connect with her Brazilian friends and the culture.

What does Maya believe is the best way to learn a language, and how has this influenced her learning of Arabic and Portuguese?

Maya believes the best way to learn a language is by living in the country where it’s spoken. This belief influenced her learning of Arabic and Portuguese, as traveling to the Middle East and Latin America provided immersion that helped improve her skills. She aims to continue this approach with her language learning journey.