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Learning Languages from Different Writing Systems

Posted by Teddy Nee on January 01, 2026

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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.

9 Multilingual News Websites For Reading Practice

Learners learn languages in many different ways, such as attending language classes, playing games, or listening to audio. Whatever the methods are, they usually cover four aspects of language learning: reading, listening, speaking, and writing. Mastering only one or two of these is not enough because, in reality, we read, listen, speak, and write.

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.

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.

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.

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...

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.

Differences between the Malaysian Han Chinese and Taiwanese Han Chinese

While both Malaysian and Taiwanese Han Chinese share a common cultural heritage, their mentalities differ significantly due to historical, political, and social factors. Malaysian Han Chinese: Multicultural Environment: Malaysian Han Chinese often grow up in a multicultural environment, interacting with people of various ethnicities and religions. This can foster a more tolerant and open-minded perspective. Chinese Influence: Due to historical ties with China, Malaysian Han Chinese may have a stronger connection to Chinese culture and traditions. This can influence their values and worldview. Language: Many Malaysian Han Chinese speak Mandarin, Cantonese, Hokkien, or other Chinese dialects, which can contribute to a sense of cultural identity. Taiwanese Han Chinese: Unique Cultural Identity: Taiwanese Han Chinese have developed a distinct cultural identity that separates them from mainland Chinese. This identity is shaped by factors like the Taiwanese Hokkien language, indig...

Bisindo: One of two Indonesian sign languages

Bisindo, short for "Bahasa Isyarat Indonesia," is the sign language used by the deaf community in Indonesia. Recognized as an official language, Bisindo plays a crucial role in facilitating communication for individuals with hearing impairments across the archipelago. Bisindo incorporates regional signs, reflecting the diverse cultures and languages found in Indonesia. This characteristic allows it to adapt and evolve, making it relevant to various communities while maintaining a cohesive linguistic identity. On the other hand, SIBI, or "Sistem Isyarat Bahasa Indonesia," is a system of Indonesian sign language that was developed to standardize communication among the deaf community in Indonesia. It was introduced to facilitate education and communication for deaf individuals, especially in formal settings. To simplify them, SIBI is the standard language and Bisindo is the colloquial language. I chose to learn Bisindo because this is what they use in daily life. Luck...

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.

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