Meet Vaughn Smith: The Hyperpolyglot You Haven't Heard Of

January 08, 2025

Not so long ago, Vaughn Smith became a popular name when it comes to extraordinary stories of ordinary people. Vaughn stepped into the spotlight with his incredible knowledge of different languages and fully qualifies as one of the world's most talented hyperpolyglots. However, people are often more aware of his profession than his name. He’s not an influencer selling his know-how on language learning; instead, he earns a living as a carpet cleaner. Vaughn may not have a name that’s easy to remember, but by the end of this article, I believe you’ll remember him for more than just being a carpet cleaner who speaks over 20 languages. In fact, he can speak at some level in 45 languages. Read his full story below.

Vaughn Smith’s early life and the number of languages he speaks

Vaughn grew up bilingual in Maryland. His first languages came from his family—English, being the dominant language in his country, Spanish from his mother’s side, and a bit of French from his father’s cousins. For many children, this exposure to languages might be enough, but not for Vaughn. In an interview with The Washington Post, Vaughn described how little things like finding a Russian book or a German dictionary inspired him to explore more languages.

In an interview for a podcast Conversations with Tyler (Mercatus Center), Vaughn explained how he began learning more French at age eleven and German at thirteen. By the time he turned fifteen, he realized that languages were his passion, and he has dedicated himself to learning them ever since.

Vaughn didn’t learn in isolation. He sought out opportunities to interact with native speakers, creating unique connections with strangers. Perhaps this drive to connect was what pushed him to learn over 20 languages.

Despite having only a high school diploma, Vaughn’s work exposed him to people from diverse backgrounds. Over time, without formal language classes, Vaughn became fluent in 8 languages, could hold deep conversations in another 6, reached an intermediate level in 10 more, and picked up the basics of 21 additional languages. Remarkably, Vaughn remains humble about his skills and avoids the spotlight, unlike many other hyperpolyglots.

Vaugn Smith on language learning

Vaughn is modest about his abilities. He often says he knows a language "to some degree" and admits he doesn’t know every word in English, his native language. When speaking in interviews, Vaughn gives the impression of a seasoned university professor with years of research experience.

Here are some of the most interesting questions and answers from his interviews:

Questions and Answers

Q: Which language has a good expression of humor?

A: Spanish, Russian and Finish.

Q: In which language do you curse?

A: Slovak. Vaughn explains that Slovak speakers always seem to have something to say when they’re angry.

Q: In which language do you dream?

A: Many. In English and Spanish of course, but also Czech, Slovak, Hungarian and others.

Q: Which language was the hardest for you?

A: Hungarian. Norwegian, on the other side, was fairly easy.

Vaughn also mentioned his strong memory, not just for languages but for numbers, locations, and spatial orientation.

Unique language retention

One of Vaughn’s remarkable skills is his ability to retain languages. In an interview, he shared that he once carried a conversation in Latvian after not speaking it for 15 years. Although he needed a bit of time to recover some vocabulary, it didn’t stop him from having a smooth conversation. A similar experience occurred with Bulgarian after not using it for 10 years.

Vaugn on learning platforms and methods

Interestingly, Vaughn claims he isn’t familiar with iTalki, a popular platform for paid language exchanges. However, he does use the Duolingo app to learn Welsh.

In an interview for Spanish news Oppenheimer Presenta, Vaughn shared that his primary learning tools are books, listening, and conversations with strangers. On average, he dedicates one to three hours a day to language learning.

Advice for language learners

When asked what makes him special, Vaughn credits his success to three things: memory, dedication, and a love for languages. He clearly enjoys learning and is eager to improve and pick up new languages.

His advice for language learners is to avoid cramming too many words into short sessions. He emphasizes that listening is the most important and natural way to learn a language. Vaughn compares this to how children learn their first language—by listening and mimicking sounds, without focusing on grammar rules. He also suggests finding a learning system that works for you instead of strictly following general courses. Vaughn’s unique approach has certainly worked for him.

Vaughn’s Brain Scans at MIT

Neuroscientists at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) invited Vaughn to participate in a study using fMRI to observe his brain activity. The goal was to identify any differences between Vaughn and an average monolingual person.

During the study, Vaughn underwent tests where he listened to English, familiar languages, and unfamiliar ones. He also completed visual tasks while his brain activity was scanned for two hours.

In general, the fMRI scans show what part of person's brain is active while exposed to sounds or other stimuli. This way, they can see Vaughn’s brian ‘in action’ and measure the volume which is used for language processing.

The results correspond with other hyperpolyglot brain scans. Vaughn uses less effort to process language compared to monolingual individuals. Researchers speculate that this efficiency might result from Vaughn’s years of practice or an innate brain advantage. Further research is needed to understand the true cause.

So, who is Vaughn Smith?

Vaughn Smith is a humble, highly intelligent individual who never considered himself extraordinary—at least, not until now. In his forties, he’s gained recognition for his extraordinary ability to speak 45 languages.

Through interviews and participation in neurological studies, Vaughn has provided valuable insights into the potential of the human brain. He remains a fascinating figure in the world of hyperpolyglots, and we can only hope to hear more about his remarkable journey in the future.

Happy learning!

Hana Koubova

Language enthusiast