ABSTRACT
The present chapter provides an overview of contemporary and historical cases of very gifted foreign language learners, polyglots and savants from the literature. At first, basic terminologies are introduced, such as foreign language aptitude, linguistic giftedness and talent. Next, the factor of age and its impact on near-native-like proficiency and the dynamic character of foreign language aptitude are discussed. Finally, cognitive, personality and neurological characteristics of different populations of exceptional learners are outlined, as well as similarities and differences between them.
