Steve Kaufmann
Steve Kaufmann is a Canadian hyperpolyglot.[1] As of 2020 he has an understanding of 20 languages, though his ability to speak and write in them to a highly proficient level varies considerably.
Background
Kaufmann grew up in Canada. His father was from Czechoslovakia.[2] Kaufmann has been studying languages for over 50 years.[3] After initially studying politics and learning French in Paris,[4][5][6] he went on to join the Canadian diplomatic service, where he learned more languages for the role. When re-posted to the Canadian embassy in Japan in the early 1970s, he had to learn Japanese.[7] Moving from his role as a trade commissioner, he then used his language ability in commercial trade,[8] living in Japan for 5 years.[9] Eventually, mainly later in life, he started learning more languages.[7]
Current work
—Kaufmann on language learning.[9]
Kaufmann appears at conferences to speak on his language learning techniques and abilities. He also runs a number of social media channels discussing his experiences of language learning and suggested techniques, [10] [11][12] both of which focus on language learning techniques and assisting people who are learning language.[9][13] He was one of the founding organisers of the North American Polyglot symposium.[9] Kaufmann travels to learn languages, and has given interviews on global TV in their native languages, including Russian and Ukrainian.[14] He has been a contributor to the Huffington Post.[15]
Language learning
Kaufmann advocates total immersion in the learning process.[16][17] He places great emphasis on absorbing the language by reading text and not worrying too much about unfamiliar words, believing that they will gradually be acquired through repeated reading. Though he advocates using techniques such as flashcards to memorize difficult words, most of his learning time goes into listening to native speakers and reading texts. He is particularly fond of reading books on the history of the country or region of the language he is learning in the native language.[2] He is an advocate for older people learning, and states that age is not necessarily an impediment to learning a language.[18] He also recognizes mistakes as a natural part of the learning process, and believes that people can still be considered fluent even with some mistakes.[2]
Kaufmann started to learn Russian, his 9th language, when he was 60.[7] Some of the languages Kaufmann speaks are Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Russian, Swedish, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Catalan, Ukrainian, Czech and Polish.[2][16] As of 2020 he stated that after studying Turkish he is now focusing on learning Arabic and Farsi, and spends time listening to Arabic TV series and Al Jazeera news, and reading books on Arabic and Persian history.[2] Kaufmann has an understanding of 20 languages, though his ability to speak and write in them to a highly proficient level varies considerably. He has stated that he rarely writes in the languages, and that revisiting acquired languages he is out of practice in can be challenging initially when interacting with a native speaker.[2]
References
- ↑ Wilson (9 April 2020). "The Most Inspiring and Famous Polyglots in the World". Mosalingua. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "How to learn any language". YouTube. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
- ↑ Tashkandi, Hala (18 May 2020). "Learning a language during quarantine: Where and how to start". Arab News. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
- ↑ Jeffs, Angela (5 July 2008). "Linguistics and lumber strike chord". The Japan Times. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
- ↑ "Steve Kaufmann". Langfest. Montreal. Archived from the original on 4 October 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
- ↑ "These Polyglots Have Tips For How To Learn As Many Languages As You Want". WBUR (radio station). Retrieved 24 August 2020.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Betros, Chris (1 July 2008). "You're never too old to learn a language". Japan Today. Retrieved 24 August 2008.
- ↑ "The Story of LingQ". The University of Texas at Austin:Texas Language Center. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Schwartz, Susan (23 July 2016). "People who speak many languages or want to gather in Montreal for polyglot symposium". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
- ↑ Nagel, Donovan. "24 Prolific Language Learning Bloggers You Should Follow". MezzofantiGuild. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
- ↑ Brown, Eileen (7 September 2018). "Why don't more people over 60 have YouTube channels". ZDNeT. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
- ↑ "Where are all the "older" Youtubers". NRS Healthcare. 9 November 2018. Archived from the original on 4 October 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
- ↑ Turner, Jared (29 July 2019). "Steven Kaufmann "The Linguist" Interview". You Can Learn Chinese. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
- ↑ "Стів Кауфман гість програми Ехо України (Steve Kaufman is a guest of the Echo of Ukraine program)". YouTube (TV interview) (in Ukrainian). 27 May 2019. Retrieved 24 August 2020.CS1 maint: Unrecognized language (link)
- ↑ Kaufmann, Steve. "The Biggest Mistake Language Learners Make". Retrieved 24 August 2020.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Little, Oliver (2 October 2018). "20 Languages, Not enough! The Polyglot adding Catalan to his resume". Catalan News. Barcelona. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
- ↑ "El poliglot Steve Kaufmann, que parla 20 llengües: "Vull aprendre català per curiositat" (The polyglot Steve Kaufmann, who speaks 20 languages: "I want to learn Catalan out of curiosity")". El Punt AVI (in Catalan). 12 October 2019. Retrieved 24 August 2020.CS1 maint: Unrecognized language (link)
- ↑ Kaufmann, Steven. "Are you too old to learn a language?". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
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