Stu Jay Ray accomplished polyglot on youtube

Stu Jay Raj is a very capable polyglot. Check out these videos where he speaks in 15 languages. In particular note what he says at the beginning of the second video about Krashen and the importance of comprehensible input and enjoyment.

http://hk.youtube.com/watch?v=csfHuFNlQgY
http://hk.youtube.com/watch?v=Mr_sWVpsNIg

Comments

[Rob]

This guy is certainly interesting, but is a good example of why it may be better to focus on 2 or 3 languages to attain native-like level instead of being just "capable" in many.

I had my wife (who is Thai) listen to him without seeing the video and after about 5 seconds she said, "He's not Thai." His Japanese sounds beginner-intermediate. I couldn't tell on the other languages as I don't know them well enough, but I would guess it follows the same pattern.

I guess it depends on tastes or objectives, but it seems like it would be more beneficial to stick with one language until you have native or near-native ability before moving on to a new one.

[Chris]

Here are some more accomplished polyglots, if anyone is interested:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAtWuQmdexs
http://www.youtube.com/user/poliglotta80

[Steve Kaufmann]

Rob,

I am not as demanding as you, and Stu certainly communicates in these languages. I cannot judge the Thai, and I do find him a little overly sing song in some of his languages (Mandarin and Italian for example). He does not claim perfection in any, but I am sure that he can have a good time wherever he goes. It all depends on your goals. If more people were like Stu we would all communicate better and enjoy each others'cultures more.

[Moses McCormick]

I agree with you Kaufman. It all depends on what the language learner is looking for. The most important thing is communication and being able to be understood. Not to say that it wouldn't be nice to sound like a native speaker. Stu jay Raj may not be a native in these languages; however, he is understandable and can easily communicate with the natives. As a linguist myself,I respect Raj's endeavors for learning those languages. Keep up the good work Raj.

[Moses McCormick]

Another linguist.

http://www.youtube.com/user/laoshu505000

[Sjoerd Leferink op Reinink]

Please look at this guy...http://hk.youtube.com/watch?v=SAtWuQmdexs&feature=related

gr. sjoerd

[Ayush]

Hmmm...his Hindi doesn't sound very natural. Then again, like Japanese, it seems to be one of the weaker of his languages.

[Larry Clockwant]

Very talented individual!!! Lost of languages!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4oyTI0YlBU