Thomas Jefferson Spoke Six Languages! Here's What We Can Learn From Our Polyglot Presidents

Yesterday was Presidents' Day here in the Unites States. Bit of a weird holiday if you ask me, and certainly not one that gets the fanfare of other federal holidays like Independence Day, Thanksgiving, or Christmas.

I remember marking the date in elementary school by cutting out a silhouette of George Washington's head and then pasting the black construction paper on white cardboard. That's about it. As an adult, the only thing you really notice—usually with frustrated surprise—is that banks and post offices are closed on the third Monday of February each year.

Unfortunately, I can't change the bank closures and I'm fresh out of construction paper. But I can offer something we language-obsessed adults might use this holiday for: honoring the linguistic legacy of our founding fathers and using their example as in inspiration for our own language learning endeavors.

The Multilingual Founding Fathers: A Lost Art in American Leadership

In today’s political landscape, it’s rare to find an American president or high-ranking politician who speaks even one foreign language fluently. This starkly contrasts with the early days of the United States, when many of the Founding Fathers were polyglots, well-versed in multiple languages.

Multilingualism was not just an intellectual pursuit—it was an expectation among educated men of means; the default for politicians and professionals alike.

In an era before instant translation apps, diplomacy and trade demanded linguistic dexterity. And all of the founding fathers spoke at least some French (as that was then the international lingua franca of the time). Most learned to read Latin and Greek in school. And a couple mixed in Dutch, Italian, Spanish, and Russian.

Quite the contrast from today's American president who can't even pronounce hombre correctly!

Which Founding Fathers Were Multilingual?

Many of the key figures in America’s founding spoke multiple languages, learned through formal education, personal study, or diplomatic necessity. Here are some of the most notable polyglots who helped form the new nation:

Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826)

• Languages Spoken: English, French, Latin, Greek, Italian, and Spanish

• How He Learned: Jefferson was a voracious learner with a classical education, which included Latin and Greek. He mastered French through study and travel, and reportedly learned Spanish by reading Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes. His linguistic abilities were essential in his diplomatic work, especially as the U.S. Minister to France.

John Adams (1735–1826)

• Languages Spoken: English, Latin, Greek, French, and Dutch

• How He Learned: Like many educated men of his time, Adams studied Latin and Greek in his youth. During his diplomatic missions to Europe, he actively used French and Dutch, even sending his son, John Quincy Adams, to a Dutch school to ensure fluency.

Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790)

• Languages Spoken: English, French, Latin, Spanish, Italian, and German

• How He Learned: A self-taught polymath, Franklin learned French for diplomacy (often leveraging the fluency-building power of Madeira!), Spanish and Italian through reading, and had working knowledge of German. His linguistic skills (and sharp wit!) were especially invaluable during his time as ambassador to France.

James Madison (1751–1836)

• Languages Spoken: English, Latin, Greek, and Hebrew

• How He Learned: Madison was classically trained and excelled in ancient languages. He reportedly studied Hebrew at Princeton (then called the "College of New Jersey"), in addition to Latin and Greek, which were standard for scholars of the time.

John Quincy Adams (1767–1848)

• Languages Spoken: English, French, Dutch, Latin, Greek, German, and Russian

• How He Learned: Adams, the son of John Adams, was immersed in foreign languages from childhood. He attended schools in France and the Netherlands while accompanying his father on diplomatic missions. As an adult, he mastered additional languages to aid in his extensive diplomatic career.

Why Were America's Founding Fathers So Multilingual?

In the 18th and early 19th centuries, being multilingual was a marker of education, status, and global awareness. Several factors contributed to the Founding Fathers' linguistic abilities:

• Classical education: Latin and Greek were foundational subjects in elite schooling. Though they were no longer used for spoken communication, the languages taught them how languages work and offered a useful scaffolding for Romance languages.

• Diplomatic necessity: Many Founders served as diplomats in Europe, where French was the language of diplomacy, and other languages were essential for negotiations.

• Access to foreign literature and scientific discoveries: Much of the world’s scientific, philosophical, and political literature was not yet available in English, so multilingualism was necessary for intellectual pursuits.

• Travel and Immersion: Unlike today’s insular political climate, early American leaders spent significant time abroad, where they had to use foreign languages and fully immerse in foreign cultures.

The Decline of Multilingualism in American Politics

Fast forward to today, and the contrast is striking. Most modern U.S. presidents and politicians speak only English. While some have studied foreign languages in school, very few reach conversational fluency. Some exceptions include:

• Barack Obama – Some proficiency in Indonesian (from childhood years spent in Indonesia).

• John F. Kennedy – Some Latin and French.

• Herbert Hoover – Fluent in Mandarin Chinese (he and his wife spoke it in the White House to keep conversations private).

• Pete Buttigieg – Speaks multiple languages, including French, Spanish, Italian, and Norwegian.

However, for the vast majority of today's American politicians, foreign language proficiency is no longer a priority or a necessity. The reasons for this decline include:

• Decline of classical education: Latin and Greek are no longer central to elite education. While the means through which these languages were once taught is archaic and best abandoned, their study should not be.

• English as a global lingua franca: Many Americans don’t feel the need to learn another language since English is now the dominant, default language used in global business and diplomacy.

• Domestic political focus: Modern American politicians (especially since WWII), tend to prioritize domestic issues over foreign diplomacy, which leads to much less incentive to master another language.

• Simultaneous interpreting and modern technology: Many politicians rely on translation apps and simultaneous interpretation delivered via wireless headsets rather than developing language skills themselves.

Why Multilingualism Matters More Than Ever

The Founding Fathers understood that language is more than just a means of communication—it is a gateway to deeper cultural understanding, diplomacy, and intellectual growth. In a globalized world, where international relations are more important than ever, linguistic skills should be seen as an asset rather than a rarity.

While fluency in multiple languages may never again be a common trait among American leaders, perhaps it’s time for American politicians to take a page from the Founding Fathers and embrace the world through language once more. Even basic levels of fluency—especially among those in positions of power—could foster better international cooperation and understanding.

Hell, it might even prevent some wars! Or at least reduce some of the bloodshed caused when warring countries talk past each other. Just think how different the 20th century would have been had our country's leaders spoken German, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Russian, and Vietnamese?

And even if our politicians don't change, there is nothing stopping you and me from emulating the polyglottery demonstrated by Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, and Madison. Just think: they managed to get fluent without access to all of the amazing immersion tools and resources we have available today! So if they could do it, so can we!