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Learning Languages from Different Writing Systems

Posted by Teddy Nee on January 01, 2026

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Uzbek language: A Central Asian treasure

Posted by Teddy Nee on May 11, 2025

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6 Local Writing Systems in Indonesia

Indonesia is a vast country in Southeast Asia that anyone can recognize easily on the map because it borders the sea, thus its country border is also the sea border. Hundreds of ethnic groups and languages exist in Indonesia. Despite having numerous writing systems, the government recognizes the Latin alphabet as the official writing system, which was introduced during the colonization by the Europeans.

5 Famous Polyglots and Their Learning Techniques

You may have watched videos of people speaking in multiple languages. Some of them even call themselves hyperpolyglots. Whether they really can speak fluently or not, we don't know unless we test them. However, here I shall present 5 renowned polyglots that have been on the news, in the community worldwide and have proved their exceptional linguistic capabilities.

Nauruan Language

The Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a two-day event promoting the Asia-Pacific culture in the capital city of Taiwan, Taipei City, on September 28-29th. The participants come from the Solomon Islands, the Philippines, the Marshall Islands, Vietnam, Tuvalu, Thailand, Singapore, South Korea, New Zealand, Palau, Nauru, Malaysia, Kiribati, Japan, Indonesia, India, Fiji, and Brunei. Apart from performing dances from each country, the participants also displayed a wide variety of handicrafts and artworks as well as authentic cuisine at each country's booth.

A unique group of Chinese Indonesian: Why are they still able to converse fluently in Hokkien after most areas have been "Indonesianized"?

Before visiting Medan, Indonesia, like many non-Indonesians who have never visited Medan, I thought that the local Chinese were highly Indonesianized, just like other parts of Indonesia such as Jakarta, Surabaya and Bandung. Therefore, when I visited Medan for the first time in 2009, I was deeply surprised by the fact that most of the local Chinese, including children, speak fluent Hokkien, as Hokkien is also my father's native dialect.

I speak 4 languages in Penang Malaysia and I shall learn 1 more language

I spoke 4 languages: Hokkien, Indonesian, English, and Mandarin on my recent trip to Penang. There was no communication barrier since the Penangnites are mostly multilingual too, at least, they know a bit of each language. They are also familiar with the Indonesian language because of the many tourists from Indonesia, either for tourism or medical checkups. I had learnt Tamil before but it was not enough for me to have a conversation yet. I will learn Tamil more seriously from now on, so I can use it on my next trip to Penang.

Learning Languages from Different Writing Systems

Writing systems are ways people write words and sounds. There are many around the world. Each one looks different. Learning a language can be fun. It helps you talk to more people or understand new cultures. In this article, we will explore 3 of the main writing systems and suggest a language to learn that is either useful or easy to learn. Hebrew Script Suggested language: Hebrew Hebrew is useful in Israel and for Jewish culture. About 9 million people speak it. Learning Hebrew can be useful for those interested in history or religion. Arabic Script Suggested language: Arabic Arabic is useful in the Middle East and North Africa. Over 300 million people speak it. It is the language of Islam. Grammar is simple in some ways. Devanagari Script Suggested language: Hindi It is one of the most spoken languages in India. The Devanagari script is phonetic, which means you say what you see. Once you learn the basic symbols, you can read anything.

The Importance of Knowing Medan Hokkien for International Communication

Knowing Medan Hokkien can be very beneficial for communication, especially in international settings. Medan Hokkien is a dialect spoken by many Chinese Indonesians, and it connects people across different cultures. Medan Hokkien helps connect Chinese Indonesians with their roots. Many people from Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore also speak Hokkien. Knowing this language allows for better communication with these communities, making it easier to build friendships and partnerships. In today’s global market, speaking Medan Hokkien can open doors to business opportunities. Many companies in Southeast Asia value employees who can communicate in local languages. There is a saying in Hokkien, "kaki lang (our people)," indicating Hokkien people's uniqueness and solidarity to strengthen their community. Language is a big part of culture. By learning Medan Hokkien, individuals can better understand the hundred-year-old traditions and values of Medan Hokkien-speaking communities that...

Unlocking the Secrets of Hyperpolyglots: How to Master Multiple Languages with Ease

In a world where communication bridges cultures and opens doors to new opportunities, the ability to speak multiple languages is a desirable skill. But what if you could go beyond bilingualism or trilingualism and become a hyperpolyglot (someone who fluently speaks six, ten, or even twenty languages)? Hyperpolyglots are not born with extraordinary abilities, they are made through dedication, strategy, and a deep love for learning. Languages can be similar or the same in various ways, such as through shared vocabulary, grammar, or historical roots. In this article, you'll find out some examples of similar or same languages that you can learn in a short time: 1. Mutually Intelligible Languages Spanish and Portuguese: Speakers of these two Romance languages can often understand each other to some extent, especially in written form. Norwegian, Swedish, and Danish: These Scandinavian languages are mutually intelligible to a significant degree, though pronunciation differences can make u...

Penang Hokkien language: The sister language of my native language

With John Ong from the Penang Hokkien Podcast 庇能福建 Penang Hokkien is a unique dialect spoken primarily in Penang, Malaysia. It's a vibrant blend of Hokkien, a Chinese language, with strong influences from Malay, English, and other local languages. Like many other dialects, Penang Hokkien faces the challenge of declining use among younger generations who increasingly favor Mandarin and English. As a Medan Hokkien person, I understand Penang Hokkien almost without effort. Medan Hokkien and Penang Hokkien share a common root in the Hokkien language, originating from Fujian, China. Both dialects exhibit significant influence from the surrounding languages, like Dutch and Indonesian in Medan, and English and Malay in Penang.

Medan Hokkien

Medan Hokkien is a vibrant and distinct dialect of the Hokkien language, primarily spoken by the Chinese Indonesian community in Medan, the capital city of North Sumatra, Indonesia. This dialect is a testament to the region's rich cultural tapestry, reflecting a history of migration, trade, and cultural exchange. History Medan Hokkien's roots can be traced back to the Hokkien-speaking areas of Southern Fujian province in China, particularly the Zhangzhou region. The dialect evolved significantly, especially during the 18th and 19th centuries when trade between the eastern coasts of Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula flourished. The influx of Chinese laborers, mainly from Penang, brought the Hokkien dialect, which mingled with the local languages and customs, giving rise to the unique variant we know today as Medan Hokkien. Medan Hokkien is a means of communication and a carrier of cultural identity for the Chinese Indonesian community. It encapsulates the history of migration, the...

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