New video alert! Watch Steve discuss the pros and cons of learning many languages—from cultural connections to language interference:
2 Likes
Well, one of the problems is when you have a family, you tend to travel with your family and they may not all be able to speak all the same languages as you, so often you can’t practice your languages as much as you want to. You often end up wanting some time where you get to go off on your own a bit to do that.
2 Likes
Having ability to communication with others is very social.
Having atypical intellectual hobbies is very anti-social.
There’s paradox here but also I wonder, how many social problems do those attracted to and rewarded by being a polyglot have in common.
Polyglots are a quirky lot.
2 Likes
Yes lots of polyglots are on the autism spectrum for example. Having an obsessive interest is something quite common with people on that spectrum for sure. The polyglots that are on the spectrum are often obsessed with grammar and the history of languages and sometimes with languages they don’t necessarily even intend to communicate much in, even obsolete ones.
2 Likes
I forgot to make it clear I am on the autism spectrum myself. I do not mean to put down people who are, but ppl on the spectrum often have certain social issues, not necessarily being socially inept overall, but often some issues. Many of us need a lot of time to ourselves to do our introvert stuff.
1 Like