Video: The American teen who speaks 23 languages Timothy Doner has taught himself a host of languages, starting with Hebrew, which he learnt so he could keep up with his favourite Israeli dance music. "Some of the languages that I speak or I have studied are French, Latin, Ancient Greek, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, Hebrew, Farso, Pashto and Hindi," he says His rare ability comes in most useful when he wants to eavesdrop on other people's conversations. But just to prove ignorance is sometimes bliss, there is a downside according to the 16-year-old. "I've listened to people insult me in foreign languages, and I've actually been able to respond to them," he says