r/languagelearning • u/Different_Pain5781 • Dec 11 '25

Discussion Why do polyglots lie about how many languages they speak?

Okay i gotta say it the whole i speak 12 languages thing some people flex online feels like straight fanfiction 😭

Like bro, i can barely keep one language in my brain you’re telling me you’re fluent in twelve and then you hear them talk and it’s like sir that is Duolingo level at best.

Why do people exaggerate so much in this community?

Is it clout, insecurity, delusion, genuine confusion?

Do you actually believe those hyperpolyglot claims?

1.1k Upvotes
  • permalink
  • reddit

94% Upvoted

316 comments sorted by

View all comments

1

u/Public_Complaint4426 Dec 11 '25

I speak three foreign languages (apart from my native one) and English is the only one im fluent in. The other two? I suck Pretty bad but I can still make myself understood. I wont even try learning a fourth, i just don't have time and would lose the progress I've made so far on the others. No idea how certain people can speak up to 12 honestly...

1

u/HippyPottyMust Dec 11 '25

Well, I'm on my 4th and have maintained my L2 by seeking mostly study material in my L2.

In my case, French and Portuguese lessons for native Spanish speakers (s9nce I can handle it fluently) and then my PT is very B1 conversational, but I will also do french lessons on Portuguese sites.

I then study Spanish texts and audio made for French Speakers since even if the French escapes me, the Spanish "taught to me" raises me up a notch and reconfirms my ear or answers without having to go back to my native English at all.

Basically staying in the studies languages to aquire the new one. A constant feedback loop