Choosing a language

[Collegejunkie15]

<p>So, in the fall I'll be starting a new language, and I've taken many years of Spanish already, and I am bored of it.</p>

<p>Some options: Chinese, Japanese, Greek, Russian, Latin, Norwegian, French, German, and possibly Arabic.</p>

<p>Any recommendations?</p>

[RoxSox]

<p>I’m taking Norwegian. It’s really f’kn hard to speak, but it’s otherwise not too bad. There’s no conjugation of verbs which is nice.</p>

<p>It’s really, really hard to speak though. And it has some other annoying idiosyncrasies, but I think all languages do.</p>

<p>It’s also probably be the least useful language that you’ve listed.</p>

[augustus1]

<p>I’m in Chinese. It’s great–it’s a very context-heavy language and the grammar is fairly simple (also no verb conjugation). It has a steep learning curve, but once you’re familiar with the tonal system and start to be able to form basic sentences, it gets much easier. </p>

<p>Some of the more difficult aspects are character writing and memorization. It’s easy to forget a stroke and write a completely different word, and it’s easy to mix up two characters that look similar but are in fact different; for example: 我 (I) 找 (to look for) / 看 (to view) 有 (to have) etc. There are also some characters that are identical, with identical pronunciations, which contain wholly distinct meanings that can only be inferred from its contextual use.</p>

<p>Anyways, I’ve found taking the class to be a very rich experience. I don’t really think you can go wrong though; do whatever seems the most interesting and f the haters.</p>

[elun91]

<p>Part of it depends on what kind of career you want and what country you want to work in or work with.</p>

<p>Chinese is a very useful language. That’s what I took. Speaking it is pretty easy, the only difficult thing is that there are so many characters to memorize. Also, it’s easy to forget how to read the written characters if you don’t keep practicing for the rest of your life. That’s the disadvantage of a writing system that isn’t phonetic. You can’t write it just by knowing how it’s pronounced.</p>

[caemin]

<p>I’m going to be taking German. It’s a heritage language for me and I know people who have taken it or speak it already. It also fulfills two requirements for me XD</p>

[Vihzel]

<p>I’m taking French and Italian… both beautiful Romance languages. Italian is a lot closer to French so the transition wouldn’t be difficult. It’s sexy also to know one of them. Tall, dark, and handsome man speaking Italian… yummy.</p>

[Lullies]

<p>Well, some people choose a language based on how much they’ll use it later on in life. That’s why a lot of people choose Spanish or Chinese. But other than that, choose which ever one interests you the most! I chose French because I think it’s better sounding than Spanish (It’s so cute and romantic!)… also because I want to be involved in fashion/fashion district AND study abroad in France, so yeah. :)</p>

[PRiNCESSMAHiNA]

<p>Are you looking for one that will be useful? You also have to define ‘usefulness’ for yourself. I’m taking either French, Italian, or German, but I also hope to move back to Europe at some point.</p>

[SkylineEyes]

<p>I would go with Russian just because from what I have heard, it sounds nice. Or at least it sounds nice when sung by Regina Spektor.</p>

[Beningno]

<p>Russian:</p>

<p><a href=“Есенин и Маяковский.mp4 - YouTube”>Есенин и Маяковский.mp4 - YouTube;

<p>And this is how Norwegian sounds, in comparison:</p>

<p>[YouTube</a> - Alexander Rybak interview - program Förkväll - 20.10.09 (english subs)](<a href=“Alexander Rybak interview - program Förkväll - 20.10.09 (english subs) - YouTube”>Alexander Rybak interview - program Förkväll - 20.10.09 (english subs) - YouTube)</p>

[paradox3]

<p>Russian, Arabic, or Chinese would be most useful.</p>

<p>I am learning French though, because it’s easy for me to pronounce the words and spell. It’s actually a fairly easy language overall. Less grammar rules than English.</p>

<p>But the other three would be most useful, I think, in the long run.</p>

[BillyMc]

<p>Choosing a useful language is good, but it also has to interest you, or else you’ll have a tough time at it.</p>

[paradox3]

<p>BillyMC: you are absolutely correct. I ought to have mentioned that. I have friends trying to learn a “useful” language and a “for fun” one and they are definitely doing better in the latter.</p>