Final answer:
In 'The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man', the narrator learns to speak French, reflecting not just a literary theme but historical multilingualism within the African American community.
Step-by-step explanation:
In The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man by James Weldon Johnson, the narrator learns to speak French. This information can be found within the context of the novel where the narrator's journey across different cultures and societies is depicted, including his encounters with various languages. Learning French is part of his adaptation and experience living in different environments, mirroring the historical context where people of African descent often had to become multilingual to navigate the complex social landscapes of the time.
Further connectivity to history can be found in the African and African American experiences where language served as an essential element in survival and cultural identity. It's important to note that the learning of languages for African Americans wasn't only a literary theme but a real historical occurrence, as many were forced to become polyglot due to the transatlantic slave trade and the cultural diversity of the African diaspora.