I’ve taught myself TWENTY-NINE languages – now I’ve got my sights set on learning one more
A MAN self-taught in 29 languages has set his sights on a new linguistic milestone – Swahili.
But Wouter Corduwener believes the official language of Tanzania and Kenya will be his limit.
Known for his passion for languages and ability to switch between diverse tongues with ease, the 35-year-old Dutchman has developed a following on social media thanks to his bilingual talents.
He first picked up German during his childhood and has since learned Japanese, Turkish, and Arabic – but it appears Swahili will be the last.
The language has an alphabet largely similar to that of English meaning it should be easier to pick up – but risk of forgetting others is the main reason for not taking on anymore.
Corduwener, who has teamed up with Heathrow Express to create masterclasses lasting 15 minutes – the same as the journey time from Paddington to London Heathrow, said: “It’s always been my goal to help motivate people to try to speak foreign languages.
“Whenever I speak to travellers, they always tell me how much they enjoy speaking the local language and how they love to find hidden gems they’d never have discovered if they didn’t have the confidence to ask locals.”
Wouter’s collaboration follows research by the brand which found one in six adults who travel abroad avoid foreign lingo when on holiday – through fear of embarrassing themselves.
A poll of 2,000 adults carried out through OnePoll revealed of those who dodge local dialect when overseas, 42 per cent rate themselves as bad at languages, and 16 per cent don’t bother because they’ll never need to know it again.
While 34 per cent don’t try because everyone already speaks English.
And one in 20 (four per cent) even avoid holidaying anywhere which speaks something other than their native tongue, so they don’t have to worry about getting by.
A spokesperson for Heathrow Express, added: “We always want our passengers to kick start their holiday in the most enjoyable way.
“What’s more fulfilling than to learn 15 phrases in the language of your upcoming destination all in just 15 minutes.”