Which second language?

[barry2017]

For a long time now, I've felt quite ignorant about my lack of language skills. It's slightly embarrassing when you realise how many people in other countries speak English. And I'd quite like to at least get a bit more travel in, or even work in another country in the future.

So, one of the things I intend to do is learn another language. But which one? I would be studying an introductory course with the OU, which could be in one of the languages in the poll.

Intellectually, I guess Spanish is useful in more countries than the others. But I quite fancy German or Chinese. Does learning one language make learning any of the others easier? Is one easier for an English speaker to learn than the others? Is one language more marketable than the others, should I want to use it for work?

Any advice would be gratefully received.

 

[john]

I'd imagine Chinese would be absolutely solid, especially with the entirely different alphabet.

I'd go for whichever you fancy. If it's Spanish then go for it.

What would be most useful for work? Depends on what you do I suppose. Traditionally German has always been quite a good 'business' language although the grammar can be rather taxing.

 

[orange71]

I speak several languages to varying degrees. Learning one of french/italian/spanish will help you with the other two definitely.

I found German hard going, but did OK at O level. I did Spanish 'O' and 'A' level in 2 years of 6th form as I already had French and latin behind me. I went on to do Italian in first year at Univeristy with relative ease because of the spanish and french.

I did do a year of Chinese, but can't remember any of it now

I'd go for Spanish knowing what I know now. Useful on holiday in various parts of the world, you'll pick up/understand french/italian easier with spanish in the bag too.

 

[brocklanders023]

X2 for Spanish. I found I picked it up quite quickly bitd (forgot most of it now though ) and am told by an Italian friend you can make sense of other Latin based languages if you speak one. Was taught German at school but never really enjoyed it.

I also wish to learn another language with Thai being top of the list.

 

[dbmtb]

In terms of interest:
If as a basis to getting a foot in with other languages, French. And maybe a smattering of Latin. French has more in common with Spanish and Italian than Spanish and Italian have with each other.

I've never studied Spanish and only a little Italian but can understand an awful lot of both.

German is good but everyone north of Germany (and plenty of the germans too) speak(s) english so really of little benefit.

Chinese. Which version?

In terms of work as a linguist:
- you should consider rarity. When I was studying French it was a standing joke that people were studying Serbo-croat. That was before Yugoslavia pressed it's self-destruct and suddenly translators/teachers were in huge demand. All the french graduates ended up jobless as the tories were busy cutting back all the jobs that graduates used to take.

I'm finding plenty of translation work from legalese Danish to English - as even though danes speak english well enough, they can't write it to be read by native english speakers. Again - rarity factor.

So you need to ensure that there is a professional element rather than a purely theoretical/academic one.

 

[lumos2000]

i accidently learnt pourtugese in brazil and am quite suprised how many other latin based languages i can understand. i always hated french at school and still struggle with english. id have to say spanish for travle options.

edit: if the languages were women which would you choose?

 

[dbmtb]

The same. French.

 

[shovelon]

There are 2 languages in the States, English and Spanish. All the others are very rare. The entire Continent here is mostly spanish.

I did 2 years of Spanish in my early years and liked it.

Being so close to Mexico, it was somewhat of an advantage.

 

[sunrise]

French is my first love really, i have been speaking it since i was 7 and it just clicked. it sticks.

I speak German as well, and while some Germans do have a high level of english, they are amazed when you can speak even quite a good level of language and it counts a lot for them. Thinking about trade and business the most amount of business we do is with Germany, so i would say German.
People say its an ugly language but really to me its a language of fairy tales and poetry, although the grammar is a bit of a bitch.

 

[Neil]

As John said, Chinese will be very difficult.

A sibling lives and works in China, has done for a couple of years - and it's no easy thing to try and learn. Most non-natives use some kind of translation device.

I've been intending to start learning a language, too - although have had the intention a while. Italian and Spanish are what I'm thinking of tackling. Spanish probably first, as it was something I did at high school for a few years.