Languages spoken by presidents of the Czech Republic

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All four presidents of the Czech Republic, have shown proficiency in languages other than Czech. All presidents were so far fluent in English and Russian language. Václav Klaus was the president proficient in most languages.

Description by president[edit]

Václav Havel[edit]

Václav Havel spoke some English and used it repeatedly during his tenure as a President as he was reading several speeches in English.[1] Havel most notably used his English when he gave a speech in United States Congress on 21 February 1990 which he started in English but after few sentences he continued in Czech and the speech was translated by Michael Žantovský, then spokesman of Občanské fórum.[2] Žantovský later jokingly claimed that Havel made his famous speech only to him and it was him, Žantovský, who actually spoke to US Congress.[3] Havel also knew Russian language which he learned at school.[4]

Václav Klaus[edit]

Václav Klaus is fluent in English, Russian, German and Italian languages.[4] He published number of publications in English and German languages. Kalus stated that his proficiency with foreign languages was helped by studies of International trade at Prague University of Economics and Businessas he was required to learn at least three foreign languages.[5]

Miloš Zeman[edit]

Miloš Zeman is fluent in English, Russian and German languages. He used used English and Russian languages during his tenure while talking to foreign politicians.[6][7]

Petr Pavel[edit]

Petr Pavel in English, Russian and French languages languages.[4] Pavel reportedly knew English language well since his youth which helped his career in the army as only few people there knew the language.[8] Pavel learned French language in period from 1988 to 1989 during an intelligence course.[9]

Comparison table[edit]

President English Russian German French Italian
Václav Havel Fluent Fluent
Václav Klaus Fluent Fluent Fluent Fluent Fluent
Miloš Zeman Fluent Fluent Fluent
Petr Pavel Fluent Fluent Fluent

References[edit]

  1. ^ Cemper, Jan (21 May 2020). "HOAX: Václav Havel neuměl žádný jazyk a kam to dotáhnul". Manipulátoři.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  2. ^ Oppelt, Robert (21 February 2020). "Havlův velký americký triumf. Před 30 lety mu Kongres aplaudoval vestoje". iDNES.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  3. ^ Šídlo, Jindřich (22 February 2020). "Co se tehdy dělo, bylo tak absurdní! Václav Havel před 30 lety v Kongresu". Seznam Zprávy (in Czech). Seznam.cz, a.s. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Horáček, Filip. "Petr Pavel ve srovnání s ostatními prezidenty. Zlatá střední cesta a naprostý průměr". Reflex.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  5. ^ "Klaus zkouší nového ministra z jazyků". iDNES.cz (in Czech). 14 March 2003. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  6. ^ "Na 'tituly' mezi kandidáty vede Drahoš, jazyky akcentuje Horáček". Lidovky.cz (in Czech). 7 January 2018. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  7. ^ Břešťan, Robert (11 May 2015). "Klaus, Zeman, Putin: muži, kteří si spolu rozumějí. I bez tlumočníka". HlídacíPes.org (in Czech). Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  8. ^ Sokol, Petr. "Petr Pavel: Život generála, který může být prezidentem ČR". Reflex.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  9. ^ Fridrichovský, Jan (22 November 2022). "Petr Pavel před Listopadem a po něm". CEDMO (in Czech). Retrieved 13 March 2024.
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