Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, and one-time Democratic presidential hopeful, garnered significant attention for a skill seemingly rare in American politics: multilingualism. Reports surrounding Buttigieg’s language abilities have varied, with different outlets crediting him with six languages, seven languages, and even eight languages. His linguistic versatility was showcased when he offered condolences in French after the Notre-Dame fire to French media and answered questions from Norwegian journalists in Norwegian, a language he reportedly learned independently to read novels. This article delves into the specifics of which languages Pete Buttigieg speaks and explores the broader phenomenon of polyglot mythmaking in the public eye.
Pete Buttigieg’s Confirmed Languages
According to his campaign, Pete Buttigieg is proficient in eight languages: English, Norwegian, Spanish, French, Italian, Maltese, Arabic, and Dari. This impressive list highlights a significant linguistic capability, particularly in a political landscape where multilingualism is not always common. Buttigieg’s ability to converse in multiple languages has not only become a point of fascination but also a subject of deeper discussion about the nature of language proficiency and public perception.
The Allure of the Polyglot
The fascination surrounding multilingual individuals like Pete Buttigieg taps into a broader cultural phenomenon: the myth of the polyglot. An almost magical aura often develops around those who speak numerous languages. This mystique can quickly elevate individuals to fame, but it also carries the risk of exaggeration and unrealistic expectations. If the narrative seems too good to be true, it can lead to skepticism, and if polyglots rely too heavily on these myths for attention, they risk embarrassment. The stories we tell about multilingualism often reveal more about our cultural values and the era we live in than the objective reality of language acquisition itself.
Hyperpolyglots: Setting the Bar
To understand the context of Buttigieg’s linguistic skills, it’s helpful to consider hyperpolyglots, individuals recognized for exceptional language learning abilities. Figures like Emil Krebs, a German diplomat in early 20th-century China, could reportedly translate in and out of German in 32 languages. More recently, Derick Herning, a Scotsman, was celebrated as Europe’s most multilingual person in 1990 after holding ten-minute conversations with native speakers in 22 languages consecutively. These examples demonstrate that extraordinary language abilities are indeed possible, requiring immense dedication and effort. However, even in genuine cases of multilingual talent, the narrative can become embellished.
The Fluidity of Language Counts
One crucial element contributing to the myth surrounding polyglots is the subjective nature of counting languages. When we ask “Which Languages Does Pete Buttigieg Speak?” or quantify the number of languages anyone speaks, we encounter an inherent ambiguity. Language isn’t a neatly defined unit. What constitutes “speaking” a language? Is it fluency, proficiency, conversational ability, or basic understanding? The very act of assigning a specific number to someone’s linguistic repertoire can be misleading.
As highlighted in the book Babel No More: The Search for the World’s Most Extraordinary Language Learners, hyperpolyglots themselves are often wary of quantifying their abilities. One individual interviewed in the book avoided stating a specific number of languages, knowing the figure would likely be inflated by public perception. The focus shifts from actual linguistic skill to public fascination.
Media Amplification and Anecdotal Evidence
In the intense glare of media attention, the metric of language count becomes even more unstable. Pete Buttigieg’s linguistic abilities are a prime example. As he gained prominence in political media, anecdotes about his language skills began to circulate. Writer Anand Giridharadas commented on Twitter about Buttigieg’s Norwegian appearing “like a magic trick.” Similarly, an emergency-room doctor from South Bend shared a story on Twitter about Buttigieg translating in Arabic at a local hospital after hearing about the need for a translator on a police scanner.
Alt text: Pete Buttigieg answering questions from French media in French, highlighting his fluency and linguistic versatility.
These anecdotes, while potentially true, contribute to the myth-building process. Even satirical outlets like The Onion have joined in, joking about Buttigieg speaking “fluent binary” to manufacturing robots, drawing a humorous parallel to the hyperpolyglot robot C-3PO from Star Wars.
Historical Parallels in Polyglot Lore
The phenomenon of polyglot mythmaking is not new. Throughout history, stories of extraordinary multilingual individuals have thrived on anecdotal accounts and public spectacles. In the 19th century, Cardinal Giuseppe Mezzofanti was celebrated as a “monster of languages” based on reports of his ability to converse in numerous languages and dialects with visitors from various countries. Similarly, stories circulated about MIT professor Ken Hale, who was rumored to speak 50 languages, with anecdotes of him outperforming native speakers and rapidly acquiring new languages in the field.
Defining Proficiency: Beyond Numbers
The terms we use to describe language ability, such as “fluency” and “proficiency,” are often applied loosely, further fueling the polyglot myth. News reports might state that Buttigieg is “proficient” in seven languages besides English. But what does “proficient” truly mean? Corporations and academic institutions use detailed scales to assess language abilities for specific purposes, but in everyday conversation, these distinctions are often blurred.
Ken Hale himself attempted to clarify this by distinguishing between “speaking” and “talking in” a language. He claimed to “speak” only three languages fluently but could “talk in” many others, attempting to downplay the myth forming around his abilities. However, even his attempts at clarification were often met with disbelief, highlighting the public’s fascination with extraordinary language skills.
Conclusion: Language as Magic
Ultimately, the stories surrounding which languages Pete Buttigieg speaks and the broader phenomenon of polyglot mythmaking reveal a deep-seated belief in the almost magical power of language. Words possess the ability to reveal and conceal, and witnessing communication in an unfamiliar language can feel like observing a form of esoteric knowledge. In this context, someone who speaks multiple languages can easily be perceived as possessing extraordinary, almost magical abilities. Whether these perceptions are based on embellished anecdotes or genuine skill, the enduring fascination with polyglots underscores our cultural enchantment with language itself.
Alt text: Diverse group of people engaged in conversation, representing the global appeal and fascination with multilingualism and cross-cultural communication.
