Post: #1

I thought of this as a post on another thread, but as it got big I thought it could have a thread of its own.

I want an opinion from you guys concerning some choices I'm about to make.

I have some extra credits to spend at uni and I am in doubt which language I should pick up, starting next semester. I'm between French, Spanish and German.

I tried starting French over at uni a while ago, but the classes (3 a week!) were really demanding and I was at a bad moment (break up, starting to learn game for good, starting a very demanding job at a mental health clinic) and I couldn't keep it up. But now I am considering it again.

...

Pros for learning French:


-I have a fancy for French culture as a whole and their ladies, and I really want to visit Quebéc, Canada. I have fellow friends from Brazil who moved to Montreal and are loving the life there. Who knows as a possible long term project trying to do that myself?

-France is one of my favourite countries in the world.

-Academic wise, in my field of study, French is a good language to learn.

Cons for learning French:

-I can tell the classes there are really demanding. Not sure if I have time available, as my side projects tend to increase, maybe to the point they are more than side projects.

-French seems to be diminishing as a language group. Much use?

...

Spanish seems to be a good option as well. There are less classes in the week (2) and as I'm a native Portuguese speaker, I'd learn it in a flash.

Pros for learning Spanish:

-I'd pick it up real fast and it is less demanding for me, meaning less hours of study.

-I am very enthusiastic about my South American extended background, yet I do poorly on the language of my good neighbours over here. And I ought to explore more this wonderful continent.

Cons for learning Spanish:

-I'm not "crazy" about Latin women. I like them alright, but to me, as I'm from the culture, they aren't that exotic.

-I wonder if I could just pick it up as I go on a possible extended South American trip in the future.

...

The other language I'm considering is German. Yes. I already had German lessons for 2 years, but that was 5 years ago. On my last trip to Hawaii, I made tons and tons of Germanic friends (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) and I have places to crash all over those countries. Although it is not an easy language, I have some minimum background already, and I was always complimented on my accent. Apparently I have a good accent for Germanic languages in general.

Pros for learning German:

-I already have some familiarity with the language

-I have plenty of travelling options over German-speaking countries.

-It also a good language to learn in my field of study.

Cons for learning German:

-Difficult to achieve fluency

-Not a big language group outside Europe

-Did I mention it is difficult?

...

This is a project for the next one and a half years. I'm thinking that I should pick just one and do my best at it. Or not?

What really bothers me is that my tendency is to have a shitload of other stuff to do the following period of my life. Final paper, working, doing a few specializations in areas of my field (psycotherapy) and, especially so, investing on my artistic side- I'll carry on my music career and I want to start writing.

And have time to travel.

Yikes.

Thus the doubt: those, added to Japanese which is a very very distant project, are all languages I want to learn this lifetime. But I have trouble prioritizing and focusing and what nots.

Any ideas, guys? I'll be having some time to think this through...

Post: #2

I definitely vote for my native language Spanish! But leaving personal opinion aside, I think its safe to say that Spanish would be more useful (in terms of # of countries that speak it, and also is a language very frequently selected for other foreigners as well) against the other 2. I find German really interesting and very tentative. French, bleh I've grown to resent it.

So for me it comes down to German and Spanish, with my above statement my final vote goes to Spanish. Rephrasing again what you said regarding of picking the language really fast due to Portuguese.

Post: #3

I think it's important to decide for yourself which you genuinely like most.

I have only been able to learn languages which have some appeal for me. For instance, I love Spanish and Brazilian music, so learning those languages I immediately had a use for them. Talking to the people of course was great too, since those people are very friendly.

Even though Italian is pretty simmilar to Spanish and Portuguese, and no more difficult, I don't know any good Italian music, don't care too much about film (which is where Italian would really be nice), and don't meet many Italian people.

It's fair to say that Spanish, Portuguese and Italian are equally hard/easy. But without the cultural anchor, my Italian is stumbling and awful, cause I never have the real life motivation to practice it.

So think about which language you really are interested in. Which language would you read a newspaper in? See a film in? Listen to music in? Talk to someone in?

From what you wrote, it seems that you're most interested in French and Quebec. If that's the case, that will be the easiest language for you to learn, because you will be motivated more than the other languages.

Post: #4

I have almost the same (luxury) problem, only I'm trying to decide whether to do your native tongue Portuguese or Russian first.

At first I was going to say go with French first, because that's the language you seem to have the most passion for. I find enthusiasm is very important thing for learning a new language. Then again, if you won't have time to put down the necessary work for French, you might end up dropping out.

If you have the time, go for French. If not, consider Spanish which you say will require less time than the other two.

Post: #5

Since you already speak a Latin based language, both French and Spanish will be easier for you to learn, I was surprised while learning Spanish, just how many words and elements of grammar are very similar.

Out of curiosity, do you want to learn these languages for business or for pleasure?

I would say that Spanish is a better language to learn than French, simply because its more widely spoken although it sounds like you're more interested in French and of course, Quebec and France are some pretty cool places.

Post: #6

I would go for Spanish since it is spoken in many countries.

German is pretty much useless outside Germany,Austria and Switzerland ( Switzer even has a very different accent, my understanding of German is pretty good but i can barely understand Swiss-German) Lots of younger people speak reasonable English there.

French: only if you are interested in visiting lots of African countries where you might need it a lot. I wouldn't learn it only for France

Learn Dutch haha. Spoken in 3 countries and 6 caribbean islands + you manage in South Africa since Afrikaner is derived from 17th century Dutch.

Post: #7

I'd echo the above; Spanish is most practical and probably easiest to learn.

Go with whichever you're motivated to do though, otherwise it'll be a trawl.

Post: #8

Thanks guys.

If it was for the cultural critera alone, it would be French. But I gradually realise that I won't have time for the necessary input. Spanish, on the other hand, will be much less demanding and I'll be able to practice more often as well (dash down to Argentina for some Malbec wine...).

Still, both French and German are languages I'd like to master whenever I have more time to spare.

...Dutch?? Haha, which 3 countries, Neil? I only know of Holland and Surninam, and didn't know about the similarities with Afrikaans either.

@ Scotian

I'd say that those languages are "for leisure" haha, but there are academic reasons as well, especially French (I dig many French authors).

Post: #9

Yeah Spanish if you want something practical or business related , otherwise I would go with French , A language that I want to master myself someday

Post: #10

(04-18-2012 08:54 PM)Amour Fou Wrote:  Thanks guys.

If it was for the cultural critera alone, it would be French. But I gradually realise that I won't have time for the necessary input. Spanish, on the other hand, will be much less demanding and I'll be able to practice more often as well (dash down to Argentina for some Malbec wine...).

Still, both French and German are languages I'd like to master whenever I have more time to spare.

...Dutch?? Haha, which 3 countries, Neil? I only know of Holland and Surninam, and didn't know about the similarities with Afrikaans either.

@ Scotian

I'd say that those languages are "for leisure" haha, but there are academic reasons as well, especially French (I dig many French authors).

Belgium has two languages. Dutch (Vlaanderen, the rich part of Belgium) and French (Walonnie, the poor part close to France). In a small part they speak German too.
Belgium Dutch sounds very sexy in my opinion. Its kind of a soft and cute accent. Well, at least for the girls haha

Suriname has about five or six languages but Dutch is the main official one.

South Africa's Afrikaner sounds very funny to us Dutch but we can still understand each other.

Dutch empire in the gold ol' days Even parts of your country


.

Post: #11

Amour Fou and Mr. GM do you think learning Portuguese for Brazilian chicks is worth it? I'm really attracted to them but I've heard the country is getting fatter. Thoughts?

Post: #12

(04-19-2012 07:34 AM)Blunt Wrote:  Amour Fou and Mr. GM do you think learning Portuguese for Brazilian chicks is worth it? I'm really attracted to them but I've heard the country is getting fatter. Thoughts?

Haha the newscast...

It makes it seem like we just turned into Texas overnight. Things here are nothing like I've seen while I was in the US. To start, the average food quality and eating habits are WAY better over here. I am so happy that I can actually eat real, natural, healthy food over here, food that doesn't carry a label and chemicals over it. That alone makes a huge difference. I gained shitloads of weight while abroad, especially on my last month and a half when I was travelling as a nomad across the country. I lost most of it upon my return, thank goodness.

Bottomline,

If you are considering learning the language, this is what I have to say:

1.If you want to learn the language don't do it for the girls alone.

2.Rio and SP are way overhyped. Learn the language so you can have access to better girls elsewhere. That said, you can still have fun over those places. Make yourself a favor and go off the beaten path, knowing the language will open the doors to the wonders this country can offer, and that goes beyond girls.

My say.