Find out more about this site, the man behind it, and other related details.
Omniglot is an encyclopedia of writing systems and languages. You can use it to learn about languages, to learn alphabets and other writing systems, and to learn phrases, numbers and other things in many languages. There is also advice on how to learn languages.
Offshoots of Omniglot include:
What people are saying about Omniglot
About this site | Omniglot - a potted history | About me | My language learning adventures | My musical adventures | My singing adventures | Song writing | Tunesmithing | My juggling adventures
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I coined the term in 1998 intending to use it as the name of a website design and translation agency I was planning to establish. The agency never really took off and I decided to use the name for this website instead. I wasn't the first person to think up this word, but I think my work contriubted significantly to it's use, which increased dramatically after I started my site. See the Google Ngram Viewer.
Omniglot ('ɒmnɪˌglɒt) noun
1. having a command of all languages
2. written in, composed of, or containing all languages
3. a person with a command of all languages
4. a book containing several versions of the same text written in all languages
5. a mixture or confusion of languages
[from Latin omnis (all) + Greek γλωσσα (glossa) - tongue/language]
Adapted from the definition of polyglot in Collins English Dictionary
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Omniglot was set up in 1998 by Simon Ager (that's me in the photo), and I have been maintaining and developing the site since then. Many other people have made contributions of new material, corrections and suggestions, for which I'm profoundly grateful.
About this site | Omniglot - a potted history | About me | My language learning adventures | My musical adventures | My singing adventures | Song writing | Tunesmithing | My juggling adventures
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No. I studied French and German in secondary school, have a BA in Chinese and Japanese, and have an MA in Linguistics. I have also done short courses in Welsh and Irish, and in traditional Irish and Scottish Gaelic songs, and have taught myself quite a few other languages. So I know quite a lot about some languages, and a little about many others, but would not call myself an expert on any of them. I rely on books, websites and you, my wonderful visitors, for information and corrections. If you spot any mistakes or errors, or can provide new information, please contact me.
About this site | Omniglot - a potted history | About me | My language learning adventures | My musical adventures | My singing adventures | Song writing | Tunesmithing | My juggling adventures
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All information and advice I provide on Omniglot and via email is free of charge. Omniglot generates income via advertising and affiliate programs and has been my main source of income since 2008. The income from the site covers running costs of the site and of its creator/curator. Details of advertising opportunites.
If you like the site and would like to help to support it, donations are always welcome:
Or you can contribute to the site in other ways.
About this site | Omniglot - a potted history | About me | My language learning adventures | My musical adventures | My singing adventures | Song writing | Tunesmithing | My juggling adventures
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More Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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This site is hosted by Kualo on servers based in the UK which run on electricity from renewable sources. My home, where I work, is powered by the solar panels on the roof, and from other renewable sources via Ecotricty.
Almost all my work is done online and few things need to be printed, so my home office is more or less paperless. Generally I aim to use resources in the most efficent ways I can. I don't have a car and can walk everywhere I need to go in Bangor, and cycle, get lifts, or travel by train, bus, boat or occasionaly plane when I venture further afield.
About this site | Omniglot - a potted history | About me | My language learning adventures | My musical adventures | My singing adventures | Song writing | Tunesmithing | My juggling adventures
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Omniglot was incorporated as a limited company in 2008. This sounds quite grand, but it is in fact a one-man operation. I am also a member of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).
Omniglot Limited is registered in England & Wales
Registration number: 6624958
Registered office: 11 William Street, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 1BG
About this site | Omniglot - a potted history | About me | My language learning adventures | My musical adventures | My singing adventures | Song writing | Tunesmithing | My juggling adventures
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See this page in:
Cymraeg | čeština | français | magyar
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You can support this site by Buying Me A Coffee, and if you like what you see on this page, you can use the buttons below to share it with people you know.
If you like this site and find it useful, you can support it by making a donation via PayPal or Patreon, or by contributing in other ways. Omniglot is how I make my living.
Note: all links on this site to Amazon.com
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