<p>This would be so fun for me but at the same time it seems irealistic because idk what job this would set me up for. It could lead me to mastering in a foreign language I guess, become someone who translates and analyzes literature....but if this is a stupid plan, I plan to major in public health with a double major in a foreign language and being a part of this chinese program to become fluent(it is not my major or minor)....please help me . I really want to be a polyglot.I am studying Spanish and French in High school but idk of I have a true desore for these. I love haruki murakami and ryu murakami and would love to take classes analayzing their works....but when i think of cervantes or someone famous in spanish literature, it is interesting but I just love japanese literature...but I still want to become fluent in spanish for work and personal satisfaction. french is just important for if I am thinking of working with the WHO. Please help me sort this out.</p>
<p>212 views and no comments? please give me advice!!!</p>
<p>Take one language at a time.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that language study at the university level involves many hours in class and recitations. The more unusual languages will have fewer sections and will most likely conflict with other language classes. It is not that you cannot do it, it is just that scheduling is tricky. If you have had good teachers in high school, you have probably achieved a fairly good command of those languages.</p>
<p>You can study multiple languages at a time, but it’s a good idea to only START one language at a time. Intro language courses can be brutal, since they have the widest range of skill, from the people who almost tested into 201 down to the fresh beginner who has never studied a language. You don’t mention if you already have any knowledge of these languages, but the easiest way to double major in two languages in college is to major in the language you studied in high school plus a new one. Trying to do four languages at once sounds a little crazy to me. I would say limit your formal study to two at most, and maybe do self-study of a third one when you’re actually established in college and can make a better judgment of whether you legitimately have the time for another time investment.</p>
<p>Just be aware that many translation jobs have been outsourced to native speakers in their home country. Sister-in-law is a professional translator with a Masters in Translation (Spanish, English, Arabic) and 20+ years experience in the industry as both a free-lancer and a full-time employee. She recently moved into simultaneous translation at business meetings and in courtroom settings because the ‘old style’ free-lance translation work (esp. English/Spanish) has been moved to S.A.-especially Argentina. The rates for translation jobs have been plummeting as a result of the off-shore competition. I assume French, Japanese and Chinese can be- or already have been - off-shored. You might want to check with some professionals in the industry before you commit to this future as more than a hobby.</p>
<p>It would seem to me that trying to double major in two languages plus take two more languages isn’t going to leave much class time for anything else, and that would be a mistake. Plus, to be fluent enough in a language to be a translator, you’re going to have to live there for a while so you’re looking at a junior year abroad too. </p>
<p>Being a polyglot is a wonderful goal, but you don’t have to achieve it by college graduation. Languages are some of the easiest things to acquire once you’ve left college.</p>
<p>qialah makes an excellent point: You can easily acquire a new language by taking classes at your local community college. especially common languages like Spanish, French and Chinese. It’s not necessary to pay big dollars at a research university (or even moderate dollars at a State U) to learn something that you can easily pick up anywhere that competently teaches languages. It is, in fact, a wasted opportunity to take classes that are not available anywhere except at a college or university, especially the more advanced classes.</p>
<p>what types of classes are you talking about?</p>