"I speak Urdu quite a lot, too, and I read a lot of Persian"

In this quote, Juan Cole is specifying that he excels in speaking Urdu and likewise reads a great deal of Persian. Urdu is a language spoken in South Asia, primarily in Pakistan and India, while Persian is a language spoken in Iran and other parts of Central Asia. By discussing that he speaks Urdu "quite a lot," Cole is suggesting that he is comfortable and confident in his capability to interact in this language. Furthermore, the reality that he checks out a great deal of Persian suggests that he is well-versed in the literature and culture of this area. Overall, this quote highlights Cole's knowledge and gratitude for languages and cultures beyond his own.