<p>I'll be a freshman in college next year and have decided to take two languages. The first is Russian, but I'm not too concerned about the courseload because I am a native speaker. The other will be either Arabic or Farsi. I know that Arabic would be more useful, but also harder than Farsi. I would like to master the one I choose, so I'm afraid that taking Arabic will both overload my schedule (also considering that I'm taking Russian) and thus discourage me from learning it completely. I would be perfectly happy learning Farsi as an alternative.</p>
<p>Thoughts?</p>
<p>Why take classes in Russian if you are already fluent?</p>
<p>Also, what are your reasons for taking Arabic in the first place? This is important because unless you’re committed to learning a language like that for all four years of college and also study abroad, it’s going to be a waste.</p>
<p>Are you looking to learn Arabic or Farsi for career purposes, or more to just learn a new language? This is pretty important.
I agree that it’s pointless for you to take Russian courses if you are already fluent.</p>
<p>I never said I was fluent, only that I am a native speaker. I took the placement test and was not placed in the highest level. That being said, I will probably finish in a couple of years.</p>
<p>For the second language, I’m not particularly learning it for professional purposes. However I am going into finance, and have been told that Arabic is useful. My question is: would Arabic be worth it considering that Farsi is much easier?</p>
<p>You are unlikely to “master” a language in college. Studying abroad and immersing yourself in the culture for some time will help, but I wouldn’t say you would graduate with mastery, just proficiency to some extent. And unless you are using it often enough after graduating, you will likely forget a decent amount of the advanced lessons.</p>
<p>Are you majoring in Linguistics? If Arabic will be more useful for your future goals, then why would you take Farsi (other than it being easier)? Seems like that would be a waste. </p>
<p>I would only take Russian courses if you are fluent but not familiar with the culture (such as growing up in America but speaking it around the house). So place out of language courses but take cultural courses if offered. It is not necessary to major or minor in it. You can still list your fluency on resumes.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice NovaLynnx. Mastery was probably a strong word.</p>
<p>I will not be majoring in Linguistics, and am learning another language just because I want to. For that reason, I’d like a language not too demanding (like Farsi). But then again Arabic would be more useful. Idle if it’s worth it.</p>
<p>Thoughts?</p>
<p>You keep on posing the same question. You obviously want a different answer than what we have to give. Just figure it out yourself</p>
<p>That’s because all posters so far have digressed from the point. Nonetheless I appreciate their advice. And yes I’ll figure it out when the time comes.</p>
<p>Both Farsi and Arabic will require a “life-long” commitment to learn, even though Farsi is easier to learn. (Life-long as in you will need to constantly use it in order to not forget it).</p>
<p>And unless you are sure your Arabic will be better than an Arab’s English (and most Arabs in finance will know English!), then Arabic will not be useful for business (it will be useful for living in non-wealthy locales in Arabic-speaking countries, though)</p>
<p>However, if you plan on living in wealthy upper-class areas in Arabic countries (Abu Dhabi comes to mind), people speak English there…</p>
<p>Also, taking two languages in college basically takes up half the classes you can take in college… are you sure you want that?</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply terenc.</p>
<p>TBH, I was more interested in Farsi anyway. As to your point about taking two languages, I won’t exactly be learning Russian because I already basically know it. Think of a high schooler taking taking AP Language or AP Literature (he knows English but wants to enhance it) , and you’ll pretty much know my situation.</p>
<p>Also, I only intend on taking two language classes per semster (one for each language).</p>
<p>Since neither of the languages are your primary major, you may want to plan out what courses are needed and see whether you can even fit both into your schedule while still completing your finance requirements. </p>
<p>Sounds to me like you know you won’t really need/want to use Arabic for what you want to do, since it was only a suggestion from someone else. If Farsi is where your interest lies, then go for it (if it fits your schedule). Keep in mind courses for some languages may not be offered with as many sections or times as other courses, so it may coincide with your major courses. Talk to an academic advisor about this and see what they say. It might be harder than you think to take your finance courses while making decent progress with both Russian and Farsi. You may have to compromise at times, or take the courses at another university or community college during the summer, or cross-register in the spring/fall if your school allows that.</p>
<p>Take it from a native Arabic speaker: it’s not an easy language. It is very rewarding, however. Realistically, you will probably meet far more people who speak Arabic than people who speak Farsi. The more practical choice would be Arabic, but if you like Farsi or have some personal connection to it, then go ahead. </p>
<p>This is if you decide to take a second language, which I think you should. Nothing is more rewarding than knowing how to communicate with people from all over the world.</p>