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antjecobb... antjecobb...
 

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M$1.10  Funded By Mahalo ? |  November 05, 2009 12:22 PM

Is there a limit of how many languages a human being can learn?

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ritzy ritzy
 
 November 05, 2009 02:11 PM
I think some people have a particular "bent" toward language learning, its an ability. I have known a couple of people in my life who spoke over 10 languages and were just so able to learn yet another, when the need arose.

I found this interesting information about a cardinal who died about 150 years ago who could speak 88 languages, hey that is going some.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giuseppe_Caspar_Mezzofanti

Source(s):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giuseppe_Caspar_Mezzofanti

Asker's Rating:
• Thanks for that, Ritzy! Also good to know that one even was able to learn 88 languages in one lifetime! Great! So I have plenty of time to learn more.


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bunnyphuph... bunnyphuph...
 
November 05, 2009 07:30 PM
I guess I would be one of those 'linguistic learners' you mentioned.

What I have found from learning multiple languages, is that you can sometimes get what I call 'data scramble'. When I'm thinking of a word or phrase and I have to go through all of the languages I know. It can be frustrating at times!

I see this happen with Dads when they have multiple kids... they go down the list of names until they get to the one they want! lol

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vikesh vikesh
 
November 05, 2009 01:16 PM
There is no limit for learning languages but the age may limit and retard the learning process one is going on.
Having knowledge of various languages the person is able to communicate as well as read and listen to the literature or movies/music in particular language.
As there is no interest in listening or reading the translated matter as it becomes very hooch-poach.

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konsiders konsiders
 
November 05, 2009 03:22 PM
I'm under the impression the more languages you learn, the less adept you become at each of them. When I ask a bilingual co-worker what a narcissist is, they're not sure. Or what a Pediatrist would do. They also relate to me there are certain phrases in their native tongue they don't understand.

I feel with today's internet translaters, your average person learning a new language could be doing something better with their time.
Source(s):
http://translate.google.com/translate_t#


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wrg1985 wrg1985
 
November 06, 2009 05:07 AM
No way! And anyone can learn new languages, so long as they practice it. Story:

When I was traveling through Brazil I stopped in a city that was somewhat poor. A beggar child who performed simple tricks like juggling came up to my husband and I to ask for money. We began speaking to him and learned that he spoke 6 languages, including English. He learned the languages from tourists who passed by. I was shocked, but more so really impressed.

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trinifigue... trinifigue...
 
November 06, 2009 05:16 AM
I believe it depends on our ability. There are people that can learn languages really fast. They have a gift. For this people there are no limits. For the rest of us, I believe it all depends on different factors. For example, our interest in learning languages and if we need to use these languages everyday or not.

http://socyberty.com/languages/so-many-languages-so-many-things-to-learn/

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