@fonolog I am reminded of the Spanish bartender in the series Benidorm. From the start of the very English take on holidaying in Spain he is the butt of jokes because of his poor English speaking ability.

However in the last season when the hotel is trying to get a circus to put on a show we see him go the all the various international performers and cajoles them into performing on their day off. He speaks, I believe, at least 5 languages fluently as well as his Spanish.

Eyeopener.