Ioannis Ikonomou

translator

Ioannis Ikonomou is a remarkable polyglot and EU translator known for his ability to speak 32 living languages, including 22 of the 24 official EU languages. He has a passion for understanding diverse cultures and believes that learning languages enriches personal connections and promotes empathy. Ikonomou has lived and worked in Brussels for over 30 years, translating important legal texts for the EU Commission. His journey began in Greece, where he sought to break cultural barriers by learning languages often considered adversarial, such as Turkish. He is also academically accomplished, holding a doctorate in ancient languages from Harvard. Despite his extraordinary linguistic skills, Ikonomou prioritizes the human connections that language fosters over any desire for recognition or record-setting.