---
title: "Many Languages, One World"
description: "The language spoken at home is one of thousands, and each one names the same world in its own way. A word is a label a group of people settled on, 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: 2026-09-12
---

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# Many Languages, One World

The language spoken at home is one of thousands, and each one names the same world in its own way. A word is a label a group of people settled on, 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

You share the world with people who speak thousands of languages. Each language is a way to share ideas and tell stories. A word is a label a group of people agreed on. It is not the thing itself.

**Example.** Say hello in three languages. In Spanish you say hola, said oh-lah. In French you say bonjour, said bon-zhoor. In German you say hallo. Try each one out loud and feel your mouth move in a new way.

**Example.** Every hello needs a goodbye. In Spanish, adiós means goodbye. In French, au revoir means goodbye. In Italian, ciao can mean both hello and goodbye. Try them on your family tonight and ask them to guess each one.

**Tip.** When you hear speech you do not know, stay curious. Ask which language it is and listen with interest. A good first language to learn is one you hear around you.

**Recap.** Thousands of languages name the same world, so greet people in their words and stay curious.

## 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)
- [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)