Which US President spoke the most languages and which languages did he speak?

Honestly, I'm not sure. But we know it wasn't George Bush. He has enough trouble with English.

It had to be Thomas Jefferson. He was brought up on the classics: Greek and Latin and was already tackling French at the early age of 9. He spoke Welsh.

According to various accounts he was fluent in 5 languages and could read 2 more...or he spoke 6 or 7 languages.

As President John F. Kennedy welcomed forty-nine Nobel Prize winners to the White House in 1962, saying, "I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent, of human knowledge, that has ever been gathered at the White House, with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone."

President Bush speaks a Tex-Mex kind of Spanish — some of this language, some of that one. Polished, it's not.He's the first U.S. president reasonably proficient in another language since Bush's ability to converse in Spanish is an oddity. The second-language skills of U.S. presidents have declined as America's position in the world has risen.

In the late 1800s, President Garfield, a former classics professor, knew many languages. He amused friends by putting an English book in front of him and writing tablets to his left and right.

"He would simultaneously translate the English into Greek with his left hand and into Latin with his right hand," McDonald said.

Early in the 20th century, President Wilson was fluent in Latin, Greek and French, and President Hoover translated a Latin manuscript on the history and techniques of mining into English.

John Quincy Adams was reported to have spoken seven languages. He was appointed senior secretary to the ambassador of Paris (his father John Adams (only other father son presidents besides the Bush's)) when he was a mere 11 years old. John Quincy Adams was home schooled by his mother and father. He was a devout christian all his life even encouraging his own father in his later years. He was what we would today call a republican. He devoted his life to public service and actually collapsed on the floor of the house of representatives and died a few days later. He is the only man to have served as President then gone back to serve again in Congress. Fool in the rain is exactly that, a fool. The empty discourse purported by him is evidence to our national degradation and downfall. What's probably worse, he and his associates probably consider him an intellectual.

Thomas Jefferson spoke 6 languages.

Thomas Jefferson spoke 6 languages.

You know what? I never respond to questions that I don't know just for the sake of getting points. This time I have to make an exception just so I can tell Missinglincoln, "that was an awesome remark!" I needed a good laugh today. Thank You. I hope all the people who did really know it and answered it correctly give up Best Answer nod this one time just so Missinglincoln can get the KUDOS for an incredibly cleaver answer.

missinglincoln panders to the lowest common denominator, and those of you who think he's so brilliant are part of his club.

Bush bashing is so tired. Maybe none of you noticed but the country picked him TWICE over the bozos who were the "best the democratic party had to offer." You're all just a bunch of sore losers. Grow up and move on.

It sounds like Jefferson wins the vote on languages.

I want to say Michael Dukakis (English, French, Greek, Italian, Korean and Spanish, I think), but (merci diue!) he didn't quite make it to the Presidency. I believe that Thomas Jefferson and James Madison spoke quite a few languages, but I'm not sure.

Didn't know until i started reading the answers. I am impressed, daily, by the intelligence & knowledge of the people who respond on this site & their willingness to share what they know. And i am, furthermore, reassured by the morality exhibited in response to questions about cheating on spouses, boyfriends & girlfriends, etc...People here really seem to care and don't want the world to be over run by cads & cadesses. All this and incredibly witty souls. I'm having a good time. Hope you are as well.

President Martin Van Buren? He spoke Dutch, and English?