Useful Foreign Languages - Which 'foreign' language would you choose?

Which 'foreign' language would you choose?

  • American Sign Language

    Votes: 2 10.5%
  • Arabic

    Votes: 3 15.8%
  • Chinese

    Votes: 8 42.1%
  • Japanese

    Votes: 6 31.6%
  • German

    Votes: 3 15.8%
  • Italian

    Votes: 1 5.3%
  • Other - state in thread

    Votes: 5 26.3%

  • Total voters
    19
Elsmar Forum Sponsor
#12
Graeme said:
I agree with JSW05 that high school is too late to start.
So do I... Well, maybe not too late, but definitely late. My daughter is 10 yo now, and we are beginning to hear more and more complete sentences in English from her. Around here, they start learning a bit of english in 2:nd grade (8 yo), but they actually played around with it a wee bit in kindergarten...

Ergo: It is never too early (or too late for that matter) to start learning a new language.

/Claes
 
B

Brian Myers

#13
I think LOTE are very important. I have had 2 years of instruction in Russian (don't get to use it much so it's pretty rusty) and 2 years of High School Spanish (I wouldn't dare try to speak it, but it does help in understanding others).

I deal 95% with China. The Dialect issue is a big one. In that part of the world you actually have 4 competing "languages"... Mandarin (Majority Chinese), Cantonese (Hong Kong, Canton, and British-Chinese Speakers use this one), Taiwanese, and Japanese. You often find that the "Chinese" in Hong Kong have a very difficult time understanding a Mandarin Speaker, and vice-versa. I wish I understood more Chinese, but you have to be careful. While it may sesem like a friendly jesture to learn their language, often you will find resistance and distrust if they find out you speak Chinese. This is a hold over from the "closed Society" of Mao and Communist China. This can be erased quickly with careful use of your skill, but it can be shocking at first.

BTW, my daughter is already learning American Sign Language (ASL). She is only 2 years old and understands a lot of signs and ideas that you would not expect a 2yr old to understand. My wife and I have been using ASL with her since she was born and it has helped her learning, speach development (ironically), and general disposition greatly. I would suggest this for anyone with or without children. My wife and I will also use ASL for "secret" communications in public. It is very quick and deceptive to those who do not understand it as the signs are very quick and can seem almost random. It is also great for communicating across a crowded room or in high noise areas. (something I learned from my Army days).

Brian
 
B

Bill Pflanz

#14
The most useful language to know is English. I am not choosing English as an arrogant American but more as a practical matter. If you were an American in any country around the world, you could probably find someone who knows English. An Italian told me to look for young people in any country and you would probably find someone who knows English. Like it or not, it has become the language of the young due to American media, movies and music and for world business.

The same Italian also told me that he liked talking to me since I did not have an accent. He further explained that I did not talk like the Americans in Texas. I told him that there was some English in parts of the U.S. that I also did not understand. :biglaugh:

Even though I chose English, I do believe that if I spent any significant time in another country I would try to learn their language. It is difficult to practice any LOTE without traveling overseas. Like many things, what you learn is forgotten without repetitive use. I don't believe only the young can learn another language. There are many, including some of the Covers, who learned English later in life. That is an excuse not a reason.

Bill Pflanz
 
L

Laura M

#15
"Other" seems to be getting several votes. Can someone who checked 'other' please elaborate.

Re: Chinese and 'resistance' thats interesting. As far as dialects go, there is probably less variation, but even with the Spanish my kids are learning, I think it's classical "Spain" Spanish, and in the US their is Puerto Rican and Mexican dialects. Is that true?
 

Jim Wynne

Staff member
Admin
#16
Laura M said:
"Other" seems to be getting several votes. Can someone who checked 'other' please elaborate.

Re: Chinese and 'resistance' thats interesting. As far as dialects go, there is probably less variation, but even with the Spanish my kids are learning, I think it's classical "Spain" Spanish, and in the US their is Puerto Rican and Mexican dialects. Is that true?
The difference between the Spanish spoken in Spain (Castilian) and New World varieties is roughly the same as the difference between British English and American English, only in our case it's the British who have it all wrong. :biglaugh:
 
L

little__cee

#17
Other=Spanish

I voted other and think that Spanish is still one of the best languages to learn. Once you learn the basics of Spanish, I think it makes learning other languages easier. Just my two cents.
 
T

tarheels4 - 2007

#18
JSW05 said:
The difference between the Spanish spoken in Spain (Castilian) and New World varieties is roughly the same as the difference between British English and American English, only in our case it's the British who have it all wrong. :biglaugh:
Hey this could be fun. You fill in the blank.

British English is to American English, as American English is to ______.
 
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