For the love of foreign languages - 6 Minute English

How many languages would you like to speak? Do you agree that "to have another language is to possess a second soul"? Neil and Rob talk about polyglots and teach you some English vocabulary.

This week's question
The word polyglot comes from Greek and is made up of two parts: poly, which as Rob says, means ‘many’, and ‘glot’. But what does ‘glot’ mean? What is the meaning of the word polyglot? Is it:

a) many words?
b) many sounds?
c) many tongues?

Listen to the programme to find out the answer.

Vocabulary
polyglot
someone who speaks many languages

identify with
feel that you are similar or closely connected to something

sheer
nothing except; used to emphasise how strong, pure or powerful a feeling is

soul
spirit or non-physical part of a person which is sometimes believed to continue to exist after death

proficiency
skill and ability to do something well

efficient
working quickly and effectively in an organised way

[Cover: Getty Images]

To download the audio and a transcript, go to:

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#bbclearningenglish #learnenglish #polyglot #languages #learning #linguist

[Willian-AB]

Since the pandemic start in Brazil I started to attend in some English conversation via zoom with some foreigners most of them from Japan and China. I don't speak japanese or chinese but to meet new people and communicate with them just using English without out my home is something that make me feel so happy to keep studying English. I love communicate with everyone even though I'm so shy, but when I'm talking in English everything is different. BBC learning English is my favorite way to improve my English.

[tejibrar]

I love these 6 minutes English programs because they are always so informative I can't resist myself from listening you bbc 👍

[omarleon]

Any new knowledge improve your mind, but a new language improve the way of your communication with another people, It’s a gesture a good sign to start in another country

[gulchexrapardayeva]

Hi BBC l am a bilingual person who can speak two languages which are english and 🇺🇿 and of course thank you for productive videos 😊😊😊

[luciagonzalez]

Love this 6 minute English. I am Mexican and I teach this 2nd language and it is very usful for me and my stude ts to hear and practice their understanding. THANK U

[tammytsang]

Another impressive episode from your team. Thank you!

[ayasal]

I'm on my third language ❤️ it's a pleasure learning a new language.

[mariacamilaaguilargutierre]

It is important to know other languages because it allows us to communicate with people from different cultures, expand our job opportunities, improve our cognitive skills and have a broader perspective of the world.

[susicolegio]

They help me improve my skill a lot!!! Thank you very much!!!
Efficiency and kindly they offered their best for free!!!

[mariacamilaaguilargutierre]

Multilingual children have the ability to learn and speak several languages from an early age. It has been shown that this gives them cognitive advantages, such as greater mental flexibility and problem-solving skills. They can also have a greater understanding and appreciation for different cultures.

[TheGudsProduction]

1. There is new student in our class. He is a polyglot. He can speak English, Spanish, Indonesian, Javanese, and Sundanese.
2. Netizen for me can be anyone who identifies with that term - It's somebody who uses internet and social media in their life.
3. Sometimes people play mobile games just for the sheer of pleasure.
4. She has no soul of jazz music.
5. My proficiency in speaking English is not that good at the moment. I will always improve it.
6. Speaking with someone in his language is very efficient like Nelson Mandela said.

[sujeewachandrani]

Thanks your programme I learned many new words and quotes thanks Rob.

[Neo-Reloaded]

Actually, it's amazing learning languages out of sheer enjoyment, pleasure, or fascination.

[florannelisseparimejia]

Hello BBC, I like this program. I am from Latin America.

[digicom]

Hello BBC team
I have thoroughly finished BBC news lessons
6 minutes English too
it really means a lot to improve my pronunciation
Hope more lessons down the line as time running fast too

[sandhyareddy]

You took the words right out of my mind.. learned new thing today.. thanks BBC.

[NAGIAEPP]

Polyglot many sounds and so on! It comes from Greece. Thank you for this nice video!

[kalduayam]

wow, didn't know our brain works that efficient, amazing! learning English here really fun, I glad I'm subscribed, thank you for your contents~

[rmilani.milani]

Thanks ..I loved it. Greetings from Brazil

[مجتبیصفری-شص]

Thanks to BBC Learning English, I'm a polyglot or a bilingual :), Farsi and English