Identical twin brothers speak 26 languages each, including one they invented as toddlers, demonstrating incredible linguistic talent.
Identical twin brothers Matthew and Michael Youlden have amazed the world with their ability to speak 26 languages each.
What makes their story even more interesting is that they created their own language when they were toddlers.
This unique language is called Umeri.
Early life and inspiration shaped their passion for learning languages.
Matthew and Michael grew up in Manchester, UK.
Their multicultural environment inspired them to learn languages from a young age.
Their parents encouraged their interest in languages, which led to a lifelong passion.
The twins became fascinated by different cultures and the ways people communicate.
Their first language was not one of the many they learned from books or classes, but Umeri, a language they invented themselves.
They began speaking Umeri as young children and have kept it as a special bond between them.
What is Umeri?
Umeri is not just a secret language; it holds sentimental value for the twins.
They recall how their parents and others often found their language amusing and sometimes puzzling.
The twins enjoyed making jokes and sharing moments in Umeri, which helped strengthen their connection as brothers.
Matthew and Michael explained that Umeri reflects the deep bond they share.
They filled the language with inside jokes and personal meanings that only they understand.
Although they do not plan to pass Umeri on to others, they continue to develop it, making it a part of their identity.
“Umeri isn’t ever reduced to a language used to keep things private,” the identical twin brothers told the BBC in a joint message.
“It definitely has a very sentimental value to us, as it reflects the deep bond we share as identical twins.”
The brothers mastered 26 languages through consistent practice and dedication.
Identical twin brothers began learning other languages when they were still very young.
Spanish was their third language, which they picked up during a family vacation at the age of 8.
They quickly followed this with Italian and various Scandinavian languages.
Their love for languages also led them to create a grammatical structure for Umeri, showing their dedication to language learning.
Experts say that many twins develop their own forms of communication, a phenomenon known as cryptophasia.
This unique bond can sometimes isolate them from others, as they may rely heavily on their private language.
“Twins have this shared language, that at some point they stop using, as if they feel ashamed of it,” Matthew said.
Matthew pointed out that while having a shared language can be special, it can also make social interactions difficult.
Friends and family sometimes did not understand when the twins spoke in Umeri.
They joked that others would often shrug and say, “They’re off doing their language thing again.”
Nancy Segal, a psychologist who studies twins, warns that parents should be mindful of how their children communicate.
If twins spend too much time relying on their unique language, they may miss out on learning from adult language models, which can affect their social skills.
They faced many challenges before being caught and placed in Broadmoor.
By 19, the sisters’ speech was unclear. They turned to crime before being caught and placed in Broadmoor’s high-security psychiatric facility.
“We were desperate, we were trapped in our twinship and trapped in that language, we tried everything to separate ourselves,” they said.
Despite their success, the twins acknowledge that mastering 26 languages is not easy.
It requires dedication, practice, and a genuine interest in learning.
They emphasize that the journey of language learning is ongoing and that there is always something new to discover.
While they have enjoyed their unique linguistic abilities, they also recognize that not all twins will develop a private language like Umeri.
Each twin’s relationship is different, and many twins communicate in ways that are special to them without creating a new language.
The identical twin brothers have turned their passion for languages into a career.
They now run their own language-learning company.
Their goal is to help others discover the joy of learning languages, just as they did.
They believe that language learning can open doors to new cultures and experiences.
The twins have become well-known in the polyglot community, often sharing tips and insights on language learning.
Their journey showcases the benefits of being exposed to multiple languages from a young age.