Language Lounge: What fuels Estonian multilingual abilities?

VINCENT TEETSOV

On a map created by Czech data scientist Jakub Marian, the average number of languages spoken by citizens of countries across the EU is shown. The highest numbers shown include Luxembourg (3.6 languages), the Netherlands (3.2), and Slovenia (3.0).

Slightly lower down, but among the higher averages, are all three Baltic countries. According to the map, the average Estonian speaks 2.7 languages. Using the same data, from the Eurobarometer 386 survey of 2012, the median number of languages spoken by the typical Estonian is two and a half.

The survey data sourced to make this map was based on participants self-reporting their language abilities instead of more precise testing. So, some individuals may have downplayed their linguistic abilities while others may have been boasting. These variables aside, however, the map is a provocative conversation starter.

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Map from jakubmarian.com