The International Association of Hyperpolyglots (HYPIA) is an international body representing the unique and growing population of hyperpolyglots worldwide. We adhere to the definition of a Hyperpolyglot as “a person who is fluent in six or more languages.”  However, we expand our association to include persons who are conversant in eight or more languages. Although small, our association boasts some of the most talented emerging linguists around the world, and we look forward to welcoming new members all the time.

Our members are truly exceptional and include Fulbright scholars, senior diplomats, trained linguists and interpreters, academics, as well as practitioners who excel in up to twenty different languages (while being conversant in still more!).

We adhere to the strict principle that no language should be accorded preference over any other language. At the same time, we make an effort to respect the linguistic diversity of our community and encourage more remotely spoken languages to be included. In addition, we make core distinctions between standardized languages and dialects such that, as a simple example, American and British English are considered the same language, but Mandarin and Cantonese are not. Furthermore, we recognize pidgins and creoles that enjoy separate status in their regional or national contexts (e.g. Haitian Creole) as unique languages.