India (Commonwealth Union)_ At just 19 years old, Mahmood Akram, a prodigious polyglot from Tamil Nadu, India, has achieved what many would consider unimaginable. Yes, he is fluent in 46 languages and possesses the remarkable ability to read, write, and type in an astounding 400 languages. His linguistic prowess has earned him international recognition and several world records, cementing his place as one of the most exceptional young talents of our time. Akram’s journey into the world of languages began at a remarkably young age. By the time he was just four years old, his extraordinary potential was already beginning to surface. His father, Shilbee Mozhippriyan, a polyglot who speaks 16 languages and the director of Akram Global Languages Institute, was the first to notice his son’s aptitude for languages. Motivated by a passion for learning, Akram was encouraged by his parents to explore the world of linguistics.
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At the age of 12, Akram had already accumulated a repertoire of 400 languages, a feat that seems almost beyond belief for someone so young. However, this remarkable achievement did not happen overnight. Akram’s linguistic journey began when he was only four years old, starting with the English alphabet. Within just six days, he had memorized the English alphabet, and by the end of the third week, he had mastered all 247 characters used in Tamil, his native language. What followed was a rapid progression through the languages of South India, including Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Odia, as well as ancient scripts like Tamili, Vattezhuttu, and Grantha. By the time Akram was eight, he had learned 50 languages, setting a world record as the youngest multilingual typist. This achievement, which included typing in all 16 languages spoken by his father, earned Akram an invitation to participate in a talent show organized by the Universal Book of World Records. There, he set his first world record by typing in all 50 languages.
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Akram’s relentless pursuit of linguistic excellence did not stop at 50 languages. At the age of 10, he had mastered 200 languages, a feat that caught the attention of the India Book of Records and the Indian Achievers Book of Records. In one of his most notable achievements, Akram was challenged to write the Indian National Anthem in 20 different languages in just one hour. He successfully completed the task, and shortly thereafter, he surpassed the 200-language mark. By the time he turned 12, Akram’s reputation as a linguistic genius had spread far and wide. He participated in a talent competition in Germany, where he competed against 70 other contestants in a linguistic race. Akram emerged victorious, demonstrating his ability to read, write, and type in 400 languages. His remarkable speed and accuracy in translating sentences into as many languages as possible within a short time further cemented his status as one of the most accomplished polyglots in the world.
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Although it is impossible for any individual to speak all 400 languages fluently, Akram focused on mastering 46 of the most widely spoken and dominant languages. Despite the challenges he faced, Akram never let obstacles deter him from achieving his goals. In India, where schools primarily focus on a limited set of languages, Akram struggled to find a suitable educational institution that could accommodate his extraordinary talents. Instead of starting from the sixth grade, as suggested by several schools, he opted to study through the National Institute of Open Schooling, successfully completing his exams in this alternative format. Akram’s linguistic journey continued when he earned a scholarship to study at Danube International School in Vienna, Austria. There, he thrived in a culturally diverse environment, interacting with students from 39 different nationalities. This exposure further enhanced his linguistic abilities, and he credits the school for playing a key role in his success.
Today, Akram is pursuing three degrees: a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics from the Open University in Milton Keynes, UK, and Bachelors in English Literature and Animation at Alagappa University in Chennai. He believes that his extensive language knowledge has made his academic journey smoother, as learning new languages has helped him navigate his coursework more efficiently. Beyond academics, Akram’s ultimate goal is to preserve and promote the ancient Tamil language. He aims to translate ancient Tamil texts, including works like Thirukkural and Tholkappiyam, into as many languages as possible, ensuring that the richness of Tamil literature is recognized and appreciated worldwide. Akram is particularly concerned about the diminishing purity of Tamil among today’s youth, who often mix the language with other tongues, jeopardizing its preservation.
Furthermore, Akram has set his sights on breaking more records. He aims to secure the Guinness World Record as the youngest person to speak 46 languages fluently. He is also deeply interested in uncovering knowledge from extinct languages and hopes to inspire others to appreciate linguistic diversity. Akram believes that the dominance of certain languages contributes to the extinction of others and wants to do his part to preserve the world’s linguistic heritage. Currently, there are approximately 6,500 languages spoken around the world, but many are at risk of disappearing. By highlighting the importance of each language, Akram hopes to inspire future generations to appreciate and preserve linguistic diversity.
In the coming years, Akram plans to continue his educational and professional journey, sharing his love for languages with the world. Through online teaching initiatives, he now helps students in countries such as Cambodia, Thailand, and Indonesia learn new languages, ensuring that his passion for linguistics continues to make an impact globally. Mahmood Akram is an inspiration to young learners around the world, demonstrating that the pursuit of knowledge knows no boundaries. His remarkable achievements in the field of languages showcase his prodigious talent and highlight the importance of preserving and valuing the rich diversity of human communication.
