Marco Polo primarily spoke Venetian, a Romance language spoken in his native Venice. However, during his travels in China, he also learned to communicate in Mongolian and some Chinese dialects. Since Marco Polo traveled to China during the Yuan dynasty, the dominant language was Mongolian, especially in the court and among the ruling classes. Additionally, he likely encountered various forms of Chinese as he interacted with local populations throughout his journey.
His ability to communicate in these languages allowed him to effectively document his travels and experiences, bridging the cultural gaps between Europe and Asia. Polo’s writings, particularly in ‘The Travels of Marco Polo’, reflect not just his adventures but also the diverse linguistic landscape of the regions he visited.