Local linguist hailed as EU language ambassador

A local man with a knack for picking up languages, and helping others learn too, has been recognised and rewarded for his exploits by being given a European language label and ambassadorial award. Self-styled language hacker, and speaker of over 20 different tongues, Benny Lewis, a native of Cavan Town, last month celebrated news of the award, which was announced by language commissioner, Seán " Cuirreáin, at a ceremony in Dublin. Given in recognition of an individual's efforts and achievements in language promotion in everyday life through research, teaching or writing, Benny earned his for his fluentin3months.com website. Over two years have passed since Benny began his language learning conquests, building on the idea he could learn to speak a native language fluently in just three months. Today his site is among the busiest language learning blogs of its kind, attracting over 400,000 unique visitors worldwide each month. Speaking to The Anglo-Celt from Belo Horizonte, Brazil, where he's currently learning to speak Egyptian Arabic ahead of a upcoming trip to Egypt in January, Benny said the Ambassador award was "a great honour". Though not present to accept the award on the night, Benny sent an acceptance video of himself with the statue of Christ in Rio behind him, saying he was delighted to accept the award given the fact that the adjudication committee had assessed such a large and varying number of candidates. Since last speaking to the Celt, when he was in Taiwan and China to learn Mandarin, Benny has continued to see sales of his 'Speak from Day One' Language Hacking Guides soar. It continues to be a hit across social media sites with a range of videos and articles and has even featured as part of subject matter in a New York Times Best Selling book, 'The $100 Startup' by Chris Guillebeau. Benny plans to be home in Ireland for Christmas and encourages any and all to 'Like' his Facebook page fluentin3months, or subscribe to his email list on fluentin3months.com to keep up with how he's doing and get some language learning encouragement. "Otherwise say hi when they see me around town over Christmas, or if they catch me before I head to Egypt," he adds.