What languages should a well-educated individual speak?

Or anyone whatsoever who has any such claims to the title?

Please specify the nationality of the said person, because clearly that is a deciding factor in the matter.

He should speak Classical Latin, Etruscan, Iberian and Greek.

Let me start.

An American should speak either French, German or Italian, have a familiarity with Old and Middle English, and perhaps know a more exotic tongue, like Russian, Japanese or Arabic. Some Latin may or may not be expected, depending on religious affiliation to a certain degree... Ancient Greek seems like too much to ask in this day and age.

Although, to be fair, to know any other language that English on a near-native level and to be able to read in another is enough of an accomplishment.

latin and classical greek, and maybe sanskrit.

IF you can't speak/read at least one of these languahes you're a peasant.

that should be languages btw

From USA/UK/Australia/NZ/Ireland: English is the only required one

<< An American should speak either French, German or Italian, have a familiarity with Old and Middle English, and perhaps know a more exotic tongue, like Russian, Japanese or Arabic. Some Latin may or may not be expected, depending on religious affiliation to a certain degree... Ancient Greek seems like too much to ask in this day and age. >>

Largely agree, but also make Spanish one of the options. So: An American should speak either French, German, Spanish or Italian, have a familiarity with Old and Middle English, and perhaps know a more exotic tongue, like Russian, Japanese or Arabic.

Why do you keep bringing up Etruscan as if its some classy language? No one even knows what that sounds like. Same for Iberian, if it was even one language.

English, ancient Greek, latin, Italian, French and German. A bit of Russian, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese should be required.
Sankrit is also important for those involved in Asian issues

<<Why do you keep bringing up Etruscan as if its some classy language? No one even knows what that sounds like. Same for Iberian, if it was even one language.

>>

Of course it was a language, what if not, a house? Iberian was the language of the Iberians and it is attested in thousands of inscriptions and references to it by Roman historicians.

Iberian?? Gothic, Celtic, Etruscan, Hittite, ancient slavic would be much more appreciated

What so knowing little bits of very obscure ill attested ancient languages like Etruscan is a must to be called educated, lol? That's mostly for a very specific kind of individual who is either a linguist or someone just really interested in those languages in an academic way, but not for most people.

Speaking other languages does not make you better educated, just a weirdo, like those people who can use their mouth to simulate musical instruments for example.

The economic languages nowadays are English, Spanish and Chinese, and they will be the same also in 2050.

So, if you like to speak dead languages is not bad, but IMHO is a waste of time.