polyglotte

Polyglotte, or polyglot, is a person who knows and often uses several languages. The term derives from Greek poly- meaning "many" and glōssa meaning "tongue" or "language," and has been used in English and French since the early modern period. A polyglot may range from highly proficient in multiple languages to functionally proficient in some, with varying levels of speaking ability across languages. The main distinction in common usage is between monolingual or bilingual individuals and those who manage three or more languages, though definitions vary.

Polyglots typically acquire languages through a mix of formal study, immersion, and self-directed practice. Techniques associated with polyglot language learning include regular exposure to authentic input, spaced repetition, reading and listening for meaning, and language exchange or travel. The term is often used in cultural and educational contexts to describe people who work with multilingual texts, translation, diplomacy, or international business.

Notable historical polyglots include Cardinal Giuseppe Mezzofanti, reputed to have mastered dozens of languages in the 18th–19th centuries, and Emil Krebs, a German diplomat said to have spoken around 68 languages. Contemporary claims of the number of languages spoken are frequently contested or unverified, reflecting differences in criteria for proficiency and documentation.

In linguistics and education, polyglotism is studied for its cognitive and social dimensions, including multilingual competence, cross-linguistic transfer, and identity. It remains a popular topic in language learning communities and cultural discourse.