What language did Nikola Jokic speak?

By Edcel Panganiban December 20, 2023 10:25 GMT+4 min read

Nikola Jokić is a Serbian professional basketball player who is widely regarded as one of the best centers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). As a native of Serbia, he primarily speaks Serbian, which is the official language of Serbia. However, due to his international basketball career and interactions with teammates and coaches from different countries, Jokić has also become proficient in English, the global language of basketball.

Serbian: Jokić's Native Language

Born on February 19, 1995, in Sombor, Serbia, Nikola Jokić grew up in a Serbian-speaking household. Serbian is a South Slavic language and is the official language of Serbia, as well as one of the official languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Kosovo. It is also spoken by minority communities in various countries, including Croatia, North Macedonia, and Romania.

As a native Serbian speaker, Jokić communicates with his family, friends, and the local community in his mother tongue. Serbian is a complex language with unique grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary. Jokić's proficiency in Serbian allows him to express himself fully and connect with his Serbian heritage.

English: The Language of Basketball

As Jokić's basketball career progressed, he had the opportunity to play in international competitions and eventually joined the Denver Nuggets in the NBA. In the NBA, English is the common language used for communication among players, coaches, and officials. English has become the lingua franca of the basketball world, allowing players from different countries to understand each other on and off the court.

Jokić's exposure to the English language began when he started playing for the Denver Nuggets in 2015. He had to quickly learn and adapt to English to effectively communicate with his teammates, coaches, and fans. Over time, his English skills improved, and he became more comfortable expressing himself in the language.

Multilingual Abilities

In addition to Serbian and English, Jokić has developed some knowledge of other languages. Being a professional basketball player who represents Serbia internationally, he has had the opportunity to interact with players and coaches from various countries. This exposure has likely exposed him to different languages and cultures, broadening his linguistic abilities.

While it is unclear to what extent Jokić is proficient in other languages, it is common for professional athletes to pick up basic conversational skills in multiple languages. This allows them to establish rapport with teammates from different backgrounds and navigate international media interactions more effectively.

Nikola Jokić, the Serbian basketball sensation, primarily speaks Serbian as his native language. However, due to his international basketball career, he has also become proficient in English, the language commonly used in the NBA. Jokić's multilingual abilities and willingness to communicate in different languages reflect his adaptability and desire to connect with people from different cultures. As he continues to make his mark in the basketball world, his language skills will undoubtedly continue to grow, allowing him to further enhance his global impact.