How many languages do you speak and how did you learn them?

@Maeica (169)
New Zealand
February 27, 2007 1:17am CST
I speak English, Vietnamese, Japanese, a little French and a little Maori. I kind of "gathered" these languages living in different places and having to use them. Being a New Zealander, I was also keen to learn Maori. How many languages are there in the world? How many languages do you think it'd be possible for one person to know? What's the max anyone here has heard of? What do you think the maximum number of languages are that you should bring your child up speaking? One, two, three or more? Do you think too many would confuse a young child? My boy is 19 months old and already has quite a good English vocab, but I wonder whether to speak with him in other languages and how to choose which one. Unfortunately, my husband only speaks English, although we do have a Japanese boy (16) staying with us this year. Anyway, how many languages do you all think it's possible to speak? Tell me how many you speak, I want to see who speaks the most. And be honest, so many people claim to be "fluent" when they can do family, weather and directions, but not much more! Thanks, Maeica.
2 responses
• Philippines
20 Mar 07
I speak our own native language which is Pilipino and English. English is our medium of instruction here in the Philippines and so we have to study English. Our text books especially when I was still in school are written in English so it is compulsory for us to learn English.
@Sicantik (706)
2 Mar 07
I speak fluent Indonesian and English and understand basic Dutch (because my husband is Dutch). My son is two now and we have been teaching him the three language since he was born. I only speak Indonesian to him, My husband only speak Dutch and he learn english by himself from the telly and now nursery.. He is now able to speak perfect Indonesian and English. And he needs a little help for his Dutch but I think it's only because he gets less exposure to the language. I think if you are consistent with your approach your child is not going to get confuse. I just answer another discussion just know about this subject, there are several other people who try to teach their kid 3 or more language... So I guess it is possible to teachseveral different language to a kid....I am sure there's a limit to it htough but I don't know how many is too many....xx