Ziad Fazah claims to speak 59 different languages. That number is so high, most people can’t even list that many languages, let alone speak them. Because of this rare skill, he once held the Guinness World Record for “most languages spoken by a single person.”
Fazah’s story became famous because of a viral video from 1997. In it, he was tested live on a Chilean TV show. The moment was intense, surprising, and left many people wondering: Is this man a true polyglot or just pretending?
Fast Facts
- Name: Ziad Fazah
- Claim: Speaks 59 languages
- Viral Moment: 1997 live test on Chilean TV show *Viva la Musica*
- Controversy: Struggled with some languages during live test
- Current Role: Semi-retired language teacher in Brazil
The TV Moment That Took Over the Internet
In 1997, Fazah appeared on a Chilean talk show called Viva la Musica. During the show, the hosts decided to put him to the test. Native speakers of various languages asked him simple questions on live television.
He was expected to respond in languages like Mandarin, Russian, Finnish, Swahili, and more. Sometimes, he responded correctly and smoothly. Other times, he paused, stumbled, or answered incorrectly.
Years later, clips from that TV show started to spread on the internet. Reddit communities like r/languagelearning also picked up the story. Some viewers were amazed. Others were skeptical. But almost everyone agreed that the clip was fascinating.
Who Is Ziad Fazah?
Ziad Youssef Fazah was born in 1954 in Liberia. He comes from a Lebanese background and now lives in Porto Alegre, Brazil. He is 71 years old as of 2025.
He has worked as a language teacher and translator. He also wrote a book called Fale com o Mundo (Speak with the World), which explains his language learning journey. Fazah does not use social media much, and no official accounts were found for platforms like Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.
Although he’s not very active online today, people still talk about him in forums and language-learning groups.
How Did He Learn 59 Languages Without the Internet?
Fazah started learning languages as a young boy. He says he has a photographic memory, which helped him remember vocabulary and grammar rules easily. He learned by reading books, listening to the radio, and speaking with native speakers whenever possible.
Importantly, he did all of this without the help of modern apps or tools. There was no Duolingo, YouTube, or language-learning software when he began. Instead, he relied on old-school methods like tapes and written notes.
He claims that daily practice and passion are what helped him succeed. According to Fazah, languages were not just a skill. They were his way of connecting with different cultures and people around the world.
So What Went Wrong on TV?
The viral TV clip brought both fame and controversy. When Fazah struggled with some of the questions, viewers began to wonder whether he could really speak all 59 languages fluently.
He made mistakes with Finnish and Russian. At one point, he didn’t recognize a simple phrase in Persian. Critics jumped in quickly, saying he was a fraud or a fake.
But Fazah explained his side of the story. He said the TV producers surprised him with the language test. He thought it would be a basic interview in Spanish, not a quiz in multiple languages. He also said that the clips shared online focused only on his mistakes and cut out the parts where he did well.
Can Anyone Learn That Many Languages?
Learning multiple languages is definitely possible. But reaching 59 is extremely rare.
Language experts say it’s very hard to keep so many languages fresh in your memory without using them regularly. Even if someone learned them once, they might forget many over time.
Still, if you want to try learning more than one language, there are great tools today that Fazah didn’t have. These include:
- Duolingo and Babbel for app-based learning
- Anki for flashcard memorization
- Italki to practice with real people
- YouTube channels like Langfocus and Polyglot Secrets
- Online communities like r/languagelearning on Reddit or Discord language servers
For beginners, starting with just one or two languages is more realistic. Over time, some people do reach five or more.
Why Are People Still Talking About Him?
Fazah’s story keeps coming back online for a few reasons.
First, people love stories that seem impossible. Speaking nearly 60 languages is something most of us can’t even imagine.
Second, language learning has become more popular in recent years. YouTubers like Xiaomanyc and the late Moses McCormick (also known as Laoshu505000) have brought attention to polyglots. Their videos of switching between languages in public often go viral.
When people search for the most famous polyglots, Fazah’s name always comes up. Whether they admire him or question him, people are still interested.
What Is Fazah Doing Now?
As of 2025, Fazah appears to be semi-retired. He still lives in Brazil and may teach languages privately, but he is not making new public appearances or videos.
There’s no sign of any new book, course, or major media project from him. Even so, his story still inspires and divides people in the language-learning world.
Final Thoughts
Ziad Fazah’s story is a powerful reminder of what passion can lead to. Whether you fully believe he speaks 59 languages or think he exaggerated a little, there’s no denying that his dedication is rare.
His viral TV moment showed both the beauty and pressure of being a geek about something. And while it sparked debate, it also got people talking about languages, memory, and learning in a way few other stories have.
If you’re thinking about learning a new language, start today. Don’t aim for 59 right away. Just pick one and stick with it. Who knows? Maybe your story will be the next one that inspires the world.