Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend and a prominent figure in American politics, has often been lauded for his multilingual abilities. Mentions of his language skills frequently surface in media coverage, with varying counts of languages attributed to him. You might have seen claims of six, seven, or even eight languages in different reports. His linguistic talents have been highlighted by instances like offering condolences in French after the Notre Dame fire and answering questions from Norwegian journalists in their native tongue. But how many languages does Pete Buttigieg actually speak fluently, and what’s behind the fascination with his multilingualism?
The Buzz Around Buttigieg’s Languages: From Anecdotes to “Magic Tricks”
The narrative surrounding Pete Buttigieg’s language skills has taken on a life of its own. As his political profile rose, so did the anecdotes about his linguistic prowess. Social media and news outlets buzzed with stories of his seemingly spontaneous displays of multilingualism. For example, writer Anand Giridharadas playfully tweeted about Buttigieg’s Norwegian appearing “like a magic trick.” Another anecdote, shared by a South Bend emergency-room doctor on Twitter to a BuzzFeed writer, recounted how Buttigieg, upon hearing about the need for an Arabic translator on a police scanner, appeared at a local hospital to assist.
These stories, while perhaps based in some truth, contribute to a broader phenomenon: the mythologizing of polyglots. The sheer number of languages attributed to someone can become inflated, fueled by admiration and a touch of disbelief. Even satirical publications like The Onion have joined in, joking that Buttigieg “stunned a campaign crowd Wednesday by speaking to manufacturing robots in fluent binary.” This humorous exaggeration underscores the public’s fascination with, and sometimes exaggerated perception of, multilingualism.
The Official Count: What Languages Does Buttigieg Claim?
To get a clearer picture, it’s essential to look at the claims made by Buttigieg himself and his campaign. When questioned about his language abilities, his campaign reportedly confirmed that he speaks eight languages: English, Norwegian, Spanish, French, Italian, Maltese, Arabic, and Dari.
While this list provides a concrete number, it also raises important questions about the level of proficiency in each language. The term “speaks” is broad, and fluency exists on a spectrum. Is Buttigieg equally fluent in all eight languages? Likely not. It’s more probable that he possesses varying degrees of proficiency, ranging from native-level fluency in English to perhaps conversational ability in others. The campaign’s list, while informative, doesn’t delve into these nuances.
What Does “Fluently” Really Mean? The Nuances of Language Proficiency
The challenge in assessing someone’s language skills lies in the subjective nature of terms like “fluent” and “proficient.” What constitutes fluency? Is it the ability to discuss complex topics, navigate everyday conversations, or simply exchange basic greetings? For corporations and governments, standardized scales exist to measure language abilities for practical purposes like translation and international communication. However, in public discourse, these distinctions often become blurred.
The late MIT linguist Ken Hale, known for his own impressive language skills (though often mythologized), attempted to address this ambiguity. He differentiated between “speaking” a language and “talking in” one. Hale claimed to “speak” only three languages fluently – English, Warlpiri, and Spanish – but could “talk in” many others. This distinction highlights the difference between deep, mastery-level fluency and a more functional, conversational ability. Even Hale’s attempts to downplay his polyglot reputation were often met with disbelief, demonstrating the strong public inclination to exaggerate language skills.
The Enduring Appeal of the Polyglot Myth
The fascination with polyglots is not a modern phenomenon. Throughout history, individuals with remarkable language abilities have been objects of admiration and even awe. Figures like Cardinal Giuseppe Mezzofanti, an early 19th-century hyperpolyglot, were celebrated for their ability to converse in dozens of languages. These historical examples, much like the contemporary buzz around Buttigieg, illustrate a deep-seated cultural belief in language as something almost magical.
Witnessing someone speak a language you don’t understand can feel like observing a form of linguistic sorcery. This sense of wonder contributes to the “polyglot myth,” where language skills are often exaggerated and imbued with an almost mystical quality. Whether Pete Buttigieg’s language abilities are genuinely exceptional or somewhat embellished by public perception, they tap into this enduring fascination. The stories surrounding his multilingualism reveal more about our collective admiration for language mastery and the enduring power of words than perhaps the precise number of languages he speaks with complete fluency.
