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Language Pimping

17:58 / 07.05.04

I've been thinking about second and third and further languages lately. My eventual doctorate degree will require me to learn two out of Russian, French, and German. My introductory Middle East studies class is making me want to learn a little Arabic. And, frankly, I'm currently ashamed enough of being American that I am having another of my expatriate fantasies.

I was thinking that it would be really neat to pick up a smattering of languages in widely varying language groups—just above, I've managed to list a Slavic, Romance, Germanic, and Semitic language. But I'm gonna have to prioritize a little, so I thought I'd ask if anyone had language advice. I'm primarily interested in practicality, but I wouldn't mind hearing about aesthetics too. And does anyone care to speculate on the hot languages to know in the next decade or two? For example, I probably won't be welcome in the Middle East for the next generation or so, which is either a case for or against learning Arabic sooner.

20:18 / 07.05.04

Japanese? I have a friend who can speak fluent Japanese and over the last year or so she's become seriously in demand. Japanese, Cantonese or Mandarin. Whichever is the most widely (world-widely) spoken.

Although as you say, some Arabic would be useful in either of the scenarios you mention.

If I was going to learn another language (fluently) I would firstly choose French because it sounds beautiful, lots of Europeans speak it as a second language and I know a bit already, but after that I'd like to learn Thai, because it's a tonal language and I think it would be really fun to study. Also I think their alphabet is just lovely.

22:23 / 07.05.04

Hm... French is also the second language of many Africans, huh... Perhaps that should come before German.

23:06 / 07.05.04

[Random irrelevant fact]

Apparently, spoken English to the uninitiated ear sounds exactly like German; harsh and gutteral.

And if you think about it, that makes sense. It's all 'st' as in station, and 'ch' as in church and 'k' as in book and 'sh' as in harsh. Initially, they don't sound hard, but those sounds are when you compare them to French which is all soft and winsome.

[End random irrelevant fact]

00:04 / 08.05.04

When I was in Wales, I heard people talking and it sounded like they were speaking English that I wasn't paying attention to, then when I actually started paying attention I still couldn't understand them, and then I realized that that's what Welsh sounds like--English that you're not paying attention to.

03:01 / 08.05.04

Apparently, spoken English to the uninitiated ear sounds exactly like German; harsh and gutteral.

Apparently not if you have a Brummie accent which, allegedley, sounds remarkably musical to non-English speakers. {Justify, justify, my wanky Midlands accent, sorry, lilt}

03:14 / 08.05.04

Apparently, spoken English to the uninitiated ear sounds exactly like German; harsh and gutteral.

bear in mind, a lot of us english speakers drop those hard sounds and do that loveable glo'al stop.
like, uh, to beautify our language.
yeah.