Tucked away in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, Mundolingua offers a deep dive into the intricate world of languages, linguistics, and the human capacity for communication.
Founded in 2013 by linguist Mark Oremland, this museum serves as a bridge between academic linguistics and the curious public, making the science of language accessible, interactive, and engaging. Spanning two levels, this unique space is an invitation to explore how we speak, understand, and connect through language.
A Vision of Linguistic Exploration
The seeds of Mundolingua were planted in 2010 when New Zealand-born Oremland sought to create a space where people could explore the mysteries of language and linguistics. His background in linguistics at Paris Descartes University helped shape the museum’s educational yet playful atmosphere. After three years of collaboration with specialists, translators, and academics, the museum opened its doors, offering an immersive experience that draws in both children and adults alike.
Interactive Exhibits: Learning through Play
One of Mundolingua’s most compelling aspects is its interactive approach to learning. The museum spans two levels: the ground floor, which focuses on the mechanics of human language, and the basement, where visitors can explore the diversity and evolution of world languages.
- Language and Communication: The first exhibit introduces visitors to the basics of human language, contrasting it with animal communication. Through an innovative interactive “talking head”, visitors can press phonetic symbols to hear the corresponding sounds while watching the illuminated areas of the vocal apparatus at work.
- Language Acquisition: This area delves into how we acquire our mother tongue and learn foreign languages. Audio stations let you listen to samples from over 1,700 different languages, offering a stunning panorama of the world’s linguistic diversity.
The Basement: A Vault of Linguistic Riches
Mundolingua’s basement is a vaulted 100-square-meter space filled with treasures for language lovers. Here, the focus is on the diversity of world languages, the evolution of alphabets, and their histories.
- Tree of Language Families: Suspended above are impressive 3D models that show the genealogy of major language families like Indo-European and Austronesian. Visitors can track how languages have evolved and influenced one another over time.
- The Rosetta Stone: A highlight is the life-sized facsimile of the Rosetta Stone, offering insight into one of history’s greatest language-decoding tools.
- Playing with Language: This fun and interactive section covers codes, slang, and invented languages. You’ll even find a giant Scrabble board and a real Enigma machine, the famous WWII encryption device.
Technology and the Future of Language
In its final section, Mundolingua bridges the past and future with an exploration of linguistics and technology. From ancient methods of communication to modern innovations like machine translation and speech recognition, this part of the museum highlights the cutting-edge tools linguists use today.