---
title: "Many languages, one world"
description: "People use thousands of languages to share ideas. Different languages can use different words for a familiar thing. A word names the thing; it is not the thing itself."
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/languages/many-languages-one-world-mt_XETW8tM2MC
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/languages/many-languages-one-world-mt_XETW8tM2MC.md
retrieved: 2026-11-13
---

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# Many languages, one world

People use thousands of languages to share ideas. Different languages can use different words for a familiar thing. A word names the thing; it is not the thing itself.

Subject: Languages · Area: Language Learning · Ages 5 to 7
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/languages/many-languages-one-world-mt_XETW8tM2MC

## Ready when they can

- Name a language other than the one spoken at home and say where people speak it
- Recognise that another language has its own word for a familiar thing such as water or dog
- Listen to speech in an unknown language with interest instead of deciding it is nonsense

## Lesson: Hello in many languages

People around the world use thousands of languages. A word names something; it is not the thing itself. Dog is an English word. Perro means dog in Spanish. Different words can name the same animal.

**Example.** Hola means hello in Spanish. Its h is silent. Oh-lah is a rough guide to its sound. In German, hallo is an informal hello. Listen to a speaker to hear each word.

**Example.** Bonjour is a French greeting. It means hello or good day. Bon-zhoor is a rough sound guide. Listen to a speaker for a better model. In Italian, ciao is an informal greeting for friends. It can also mean goodbye.

People speak Spanish in Spain and many other places. A language can be used in more than one country. You might hear several languages in one town.

If you hear a language you do not know, let the people finish. You can ask which language it is. Their words can have meaning even when you do not understand them.

**Example.** Au revoir means goodbye in French. Use it when you are leaving. It has a different job from bonjour, which is a greeting.

*(drawing: Adiós is a Spanish goodbye. It is not a French hello.)*

**Recap.** Languages use different words. Learn a greeting, listen to its sound, and ask about languages you do not know.

*Original lesson, questions and flashcards written for this learning dataset.*

## Practice

8 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Listening and responding](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/listening-and-responding-mt_mB7DVai-Uf)

## Optional connections

- [First Maps and Globes](https://lightmysky.com/learn/geography/first-maps-and-globes-mt_wwNUtlTw7m)

## Opens up

- [Hearing the sounds of another language](https://lightmysky.com/learn/languages/hearing-the-sounds-of-another-language-mt_BNrRACypmh)