What language does Natalie Portman speak?

Jun 05 2023

As a talented and multilingual actress, Natalie Portman continues to impress fans around the world with her linguistic skills. In this blog post, we will be exploring the languages that Natalie Portman speaks, shedding light on her proficiency and use of these languages in her personal life and career.

Natalie Portman's Native Languages

Born in Jerusalem, Israel, Natalie Portman (born as Natalie Hershlag) has Hebrew as her native language. She grew up in a Jewish household, and her family moved to the United States when she was 3 years old. While in the US, she was raised primarily in a bilingual household, speaking both Hebrew and English. Her fluency in English is widely apparent given the majority of her acting roles are in English-speaking films.

Portman's Acquired Languages

Along with her native languages, Natalie Portman speaks several other languages, which she learned over the years. Some of these include:

French: Natalie has an affinity for the French language, culture, and lifestyle. She attended high school in Syosset, New York where she studied French, and later continued her studies in French language and literature at Harvard University. Through her studies and dedication, she became fluent in French. In 2011, she even directed and starred in a Paris-based short film, called "Eve," which was predominantly in French. She now speaks the language fluently and often uses it in interviews.

German: While not as fluent as French, Natalie Portman speaks German relatively well. She learned German for her role in the 2004 film "The True Story of Puss'n Boots," and continued to study the language afterward. Although she is not fully proficient in German, she can converse and understand the language to a certain extent.

Japanese: In 2004, Natalie showcased her Japanese-speaking abilities during an appearance on a Japanese television show. While her knowledge of Japanese is limited, she can converse in basic phrases and understand the language to a limited degree.

In conclusion, Natalie Portman is not only exceptionally talented in her acting career but also in her linguistic capabilities. With her knowledge of Hebrew, English, French, German, and Japanese, she truly is a multilingual star.

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