The Queen as a Linguist.
It is not generally known that Her Majesty speaks and writes Italian with comparative ease. Her Majesty is, indeed, a very fair linguist, and has a good command over the bettef known languages of Europe. That she should speak German with all the facilities of a native is not surprising, considering her intimate relations with the German Courts; but Her Majesty speaks French almost as well. She has also some slight knowledge of Spanish, having studied that language in company with the Prince Consort for the express purpose of reading Cervantes and Calderon in the original. The Queen frequently corresponds with the Queen Regent of Spain, and always makes a point of writing iu Spanish on these occasions. The last of Her Majesty's linguistic acquirements is the Gaelic of the Scottish Highlands, in which, however, she is not as proficient as might be pxpected, considering her great lilting for the Highlands and the Highland Gael, The first to turn her attention to this almost obsolete tongue was her faithful servant John Brown. Brown spoke Gaelic more easily than English which latter tongue, indeed, he never took kindly to—and his enthusiasm for his native language led Her Majesty to read it up.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WDT18880615.2.8
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Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2925, 15 June 1888, Page 2
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206The Queen as a Linguist. Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2925, 15 June 1888, Page 2
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