Napoleon Bonaparte, the renowned military leader and Emperor of the French, was proficient in several languages. His primary language was French, which he learned from an early age, as he was born in Corsica when it was still under French rule. However, he also had a solid understanding of Italian, owing to his Italian heritage and upbringing.
In addition to French and Italian, Napoleon had some knowledge of other languages. He could read and write in English, though he was not as fluent in it as he was in French and Italian. His ability to communicate in English was primarily functional, allowing him to engage with British diplomats and comprehend English texts.
Furthermore, Napoleon’s education exposed him to Latin and some Greek, which were common in the curricula of the time, particularly for those in his social standing. While he wasn’t fluent in these languages, his grasp of them helped him in his studies and in understanding classical texts.
In summary, Napoleon spoke French, Italian, and had some command of English, with knowledge of Latin and Greek from his education. His multilingualism was an asset in his military and political career, enabling him to engage with various European leaders and expand his influence.