Post: #51

The official sponsor of RVF'ers learning Russian:

Irina Shayk

Post: #52

French, native language.
Farsi, 2nd native language.
English, fluent.
Portuguese, Fluent (self learned through music, reading sites and chatting/talking to Brasilian friends, got from 0 to fluent in 2 years).
Italian, Fluent (self learned from reading newspapers and magazines as I love Italy, the culture, food and the football and my fav team is from there).
Spanish, semi fluent (I'm convinced 3-6 months spent in a Spanish speaking country would get me to fluent, looking at either Buenos Aires, Medellin, Barcelona or Valencia, Spain in the next 2 years to do so).

Currently learning Mandarin for the enormous business opportunities it would open up.
Then next will be Japanese as I LOVE Japan, the culture, food and of course, the uber sexy J women.
Russian would be next after that as I want to get a taste of the famed Rusky girls.

Ideally, I'd also want to add Arabic and Hindi as that would basically lock down the entire world. The Arabic and sub Indian continent represent massive markets business wise.

My goal is to get to becoming fluent in 10 languages by the time I am 40. At a rate of 1 new language per year, it is more than possible.

Post: #53

1. English - duh
2. Mandarin
3. Korean because I love korea
4. Italian for culture
5. maybe on of those crazy African tongue clicking languages for novelty

I have no interest in SA or EE, and Arabic has too man dialects to seem useful

Post: #54

(03-19-2014 08:01 PM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  French, native language.
Farsi, 2nd native language.
English, fluent.
Portuguese, Fluent (self learned through music, reading sites and chatting/talking to Brasilian friends, got from 0 to fluent in 2 years).
Italian, Fluent (self learned from reading newspapers and magazines as I love Italy, the culture, food and the football and my fav team is from there).
Spanish, semi fluent (I'm convinced 3-6 months spent in a Spanish speaking country would get me to fluent, looking at either Buenos Aires, Medellin, Barcelona or Valencia, Spain in the next 2 years to do so).

Currently learning Mandarin for the enormous business opportunities it would open up.
Then next will be Japanese as I LOVE Japan, the culture, food and of course, the uber sexy J women.
Russian would be next after that as I want to get a taste of the famed Rusky girls.

Ideally, I'd also want to add Arabic and Hindi as that would basically lock down the entire world. The Arabic and sub Indian continent represent massive markets business wise.

My goal is to get to becoming fluent in 10 languages by the time I am 40. At a rate of 1 new language per year, it is more than possible.

VC:

This is ambitious as hell...wow. The only languages I can claim any proficiency in are Portuguese, Arabic, and Latin. And for me, 3 are more than enough. That's it. For me, it's more important to have a deep knowledge of a few, than a superficial knowledge of many. But if you have the talent to tackle all these languages, have at it.

One comment: as a Persian speaker, you should be able to learn Arabic quickly, or at least more quickly than someone else. Much of Persian vocabulary is derived from the Arabic lexicon. Even though the languages are in different families and have totally different structures, the memorization of the vocabulary will be very fast for you.

And if you know the standard Arabic (media Arabic) you can get any of the regional dialects in a few months. No big deal.

QC

Post: #55

1. English: native language
2. German: second native language
3. Mandarin: already speak it sub-fluently (realistically, I'd like to attain at least business-level proficiency)
4. Japanese: I live in Japan, can already converse with relative proficiency; want to get better
5. Korean: I can already read Korean script, I know a lot of Koreans

On another note, if I had to limit the amount of languages I'd like to become at least conversational in (i.e. my current Japnese level), I'd choose...

1. Cantonese: curiosity interesting to get a good comparisson to Mandarin (pronunciation seems harder, but at least most Canto speakers have said my pronunciation was pretty good, even though I can only imitate it immediately after hearing it.

2. Vietnamese: curiosity; plus, there are a lot of Vietnamese people in Germany, my second home country.

3. Arabic (not sure which dialect): curiosity (I'm less likely to learn this one, as I have less interest Arab culture than in East Asian cultures.

4. French or Spanish: Either are widely spoken as Linguae Francae/world languages second to English; also less likely to learn one of these (though I feel I should), do to comparatively less interest in the culture.

Post: #56

1)English Obvious reasons
2)Spanish (this has provided me sooo many bangs)
3)Russian (Girls and business... as well as the ability to spin of into other slavic languages easy)
4)french (go to Montreal..nuf said)
5)Manderin

Post: #57

1) English (mother tongue)
2) Mandarin (because I live in Taiwan, though even then it's not necessary)
3) Latin (for cultural/intellectual reasons) <-- Can't believe I'm the first to mention this one.
4) Japanese (for interest in Japanese culture/martial arts)
5) French (for cultural reasons)

To be honest, I suspect a lot of people overstate the importance of being fluent in a language. Let me make the argument against it. I'm probably high basic/low intermediate in Chinese, both in terms of speaking and reading (not writing). I have done this with no formal study, and very little self-study. Mostly, I've done it by listening to people and asking pointed questions about certain inferences. I believe anyone can get to this point in a language in a relatively short period of time, and that's where you get 90%+ of your gains in a language. I can have a basic conversation, and could probably have an extended normal conversation if I just learnt a lot more vocabulary and/or engaged people a bit more. I can get by in daily life well enough.

I think moderate fluency in a language is probably achievable within a few months to a couple of years, depending on various factors.

Now, what I cannot do is the following (a non-exhaustive list): examine a legal document, talk about geopolitics or macroeconomics, game women with subtle humour and generally be witty, etc.

To get to that point, however, you're talking serious study for years and years, and I don't think the return on investment is there if you're doing it for external reasons (e.g. communicating with people, business opportunities, etc.) I know people who have taken this path -- especially with Chinese -- thinking that the world was going to beat a path to their doors just because they speak Chinese really, really well. Yet they're bloody hopeless in every other way. In particular, I'm thinking of the daughter of a friend of my father's. She is a fat lesbian who is borderline autistic in her social interactions and is doing a double major in Chinese/Japanese (i.e. has nothing else to offer anyone). Yet she won all sorts of language competitions at school and university. Contrast that with a guy I know in Taiwan who, even after more than seven years here, probably only speaks a few dozen words or phrases (badly), but has all sorts of side hustles going on (both for money and women). I don't think he's ever actively studied game. I think he's just a natural salesman. Anyway, the point is that it's 100% mindset.

I suspect that the idea of learning a language just to make money or pull chicks is like saying that if you buy yourself a gold watch, or you get super huge, chicks are going to fall all over you for those things in and of themselves. Isn't this a common misconception?

In my opinion, most people would be better off working on meta skills (e.g. learning sales, how to manage people, game, etc.). Put it this way: does the CEO of a corporation have to do every grunt skill in his organisation or does he just manage the grunts? If necessary, hire yourself a personal assistant/translator to follow you around. As for gaming chicks, again, I think the returns are marginal. I've seen plenty of guys bumble their way through their twelve words of Chinese hitting all of the tones incorrectly and still pull chicks. Unless you're looking for the Shangrila of pussy in some sort of remote mountain village, the chicks are going to speak English anyway, and by them being bad at English, you have them on the back foot. If you're anything but highly fluent in their language, you're automatically on the back foot (all else being equal, of course).

Obviously, if you can do both, i.e. learning meta skills and learning a language, then that's better than either alone. I just want to play devil's advocate here regarding the importance of fluency.

I just got through with reading this article by Quintus Curtius. I used to know a guy who was a Latin teacher, and he made basically the same arguments.

That's why several of my selections are for purely cultural/aesthetic/inner reasons, in much the same way that if I had to choose another martial art to study, it would likely be something highly "impractical" such as iaido, or even a non-martial art such as shodo, sado or even kado.

Post: #58

-English
-Spanish
-Russian
-Czech
-Latin

Post: #59

Quote:I never appreciated being a native English speaker until I started teaching here in Russia and saw the huge number of people of all ages spending their hard-earned coin and time on learning English...merely to get a better job or communicate when traveling for holiday.

They're learning English to enter the rat race many of us have escaped. Funny how things work out.

Post: #60

(1) English - My native tongue. And I'm a good writer. Call me a grand master.

(2) French - J'ai toujours aimé le son de la langue française, c'est beau. Aussi, je pense que les filles françaises sont chauds.

(3) Japanese - 日本文化は非常に興味深いです。日本語の漢字はクールだ。そして、日本人の女の子は簡単です。

(4) Spanish - Para entender ardientes chicas calientes de América Latina. Además, estoy convencido de que yo era español en otra vida.

(5) Arabic- لأن اللغة هي التحدي الحقيقي في نهاية المطاف في والغريبة!

Post: #61

There's a curious obsession with collecting languages. If your English isn't already advanced (C1 in the Common European Framework of Reference), then that's probably where your effort should be for both personal and professional reasons.

If you need another language beyond English, then focus on the language of where you most want to be/go. You might find that there is more benefit to having C1 level in that second/third language than in having Low Intermediate / B1 in several languages. You'll get deeper access to the culture/mindset, can use humor, subtlely, etc. At even lower levels -- which a surprising number of people on the web consider "fluency" - you are pretty limited in what you can communicate appropriately; locals with decent English may find it easier to just use English with you.

Post: #62

(03-20-2014 09:26 PM)SpecialEd Wrote:  -English
-Spanish
-Russian
-Czech
-Latin

I like these choices.

Post: #63

(03-20-2014 11:12 PM)ElFlaco Wrote:  There's a curious obsession with collecting languages. If your English isn't already advanced (C1 in the Common European Framework of Reference), then that's probably where your effort should be for both personal and professional reasons.

You make a good point but the OP which I believe people are replying to earnestly is If you could be fluent...
In other words, magically instantly fluent, without putting in the years of learning time.

Meanwhile, clearly a lot of guys on this global forum are multilingual already and learning new languages or aspire to really learn.

Post: #64

1. English, obviously.
2. Hindi/punjabi might not get you women but could be useful
3. Spanish I always wanted to learn but never had the time.
4. Arabic. Nice language got lots of friends that speak it
5. Mandarin/Cantonese could be helpful if you were to land a job in china

Post: #65

1. English
2. Mandarin
3. Spanish
4. Arabic
5. Russian

Post: #66

The yellow fever guys should consider Russian for Eurasian/Central Asian broads who are born with the facial features that Koreans and Thais spend thousands to have.

Post: #67

Great thread. Native English speaker and I have Spanish fluent and Russian near fluent and conversational mandarin. So happy to see that my languages are a high priority for the crowd here. I'm pretty talented at learning languages so have gotten them through study and living abroad.

Maybe my game is off, but in the US speaking these languages to girls from those countries that speak the language is NOT a guarantee of success. Far from it. Feisbook control makes a great point. You need something in addition to fluency. Language alone doesn't cut it. They are impressed initially but the novelty factor dies quickly. Or perhaps there is an art/strategy to this - if someone has figured it out please let me know.

Post: #68

(03-23-2014 10:43 PM)ao85 Wrote:  Great thread. Native English speaker and I have Spanish fluent and Russian near fluent and conversational mandarin. So happy to see that my languages are a high priority for the crowd here. I'm pretty talented at learning languages so have gotten them through study and living abroad.

Maybe my game is off, but in the US speaking these languages to girls from those countries that speak the language is NOT a guarantee of success. Far from it. Feisbook control makes a great point. You need something in addition to fluency. Language alone doesn't cut it. They are impressed initially but the novelty factor dies quickly. Or perhaps there is an art/strategy to this - if someone has figured it out please let me know.

It can be a novelty factor as I speak Portuguese, but most Brazilian chicks in the US are either A) not as hot as they are in Brazil and B) they might dig me but already have American husbands.

Post: #69

(03-22-2014 04:22 PM)PoosyWrecker Wrote:  The yellow fever guys should consider Russian for Eurasian/Central Asian broads who are born with the facial features that Koreans and Thais spend thousands to have.

Central Asian broads have the best of both worlds

Asian features
Curves (which Thai and Korean women lack)
Slutty fashion (heels, skirts, etc)

Post: #70

(03-23-2014 10:51 PM)Cattle Rustler Wrote:  

(03-22-2014 04:22 PM)PoosyWrecker Wrote:  The yellow fever guys should consider Russian for Eurasian/Central Asian broads who are born with the facial features that Koreans and Thais spend thousands to have.

Central Asian broads have the best of both worlds

Asian features
Curves (which Thai and Korean women lack)
Slutty fashion (heels, skirts, etc)

Also longer legs and don't act as goofy, at least the ones I met here who came to study. Too many Asian bitches act like goofy anime characters.

Post: #71

I speak native portuguese, fluent english, spanish, advanced french, my italian and german is not bad at all too.

So if I could 5 to add to the 4 ones I'm already good at.

Italian - I simply love the country and the language.
Arabic - I like the language and I have an interest in the countries.
Japanese - Love the country and the women !
Russian - It's worth it! The women and the benefits!
German - It is a useful language to know and I'd say it is kinda cool.

Post: #72

English
Mi espanol es bastante bueno
Je parle un peu le francais mais pas tre bien
Russian
Surprised I don't see more SEA languages on here. I still haven't been so I'm not sure what I'd choose. Vietnamese are the most beautiful asians I've been with...it would probably be between Vietnamese and Tagalog. Tagalog would be a fun one to learn because of all the Spanish words they already use.

Post: #73

English-Native tongue
French-Native tongue
German-Ich liebe Deutsch und studiere es, for working in europe and because it's cool
Russian- For eastern europe business opportunities and communicate with people. It's a charming language
Spanish- To communicate with the rest of America, Spain..

Post: #74

(03-22-2014 04:22 PM)PoosyWrecker Wrote:  The yellow fever guys should consider Russian for Eurasian/Central Asian broads who are born with the facial features that Koreans and Thais spend thousands to have.

Pictures, please.

Wald

Post: #75

(03-26-2014 09:26 PM)Walderschmidt Wrote:  

(03-22-2014 04:22 PM)PoosyWrecker Wrote:  The yellow fever guys should consider Russian for Eurasian/Central Asian broads who are born with the facial features that Koreans and Thais spend thousands to have.

Pictures, please.

Wald

This is the first video I found on Youtube. I remember a Kazakh girl I hooked up with in Beijing had an amazing body and fantastic tits...bad teeth, maybe just a bit of a butterface but other than that I couldn't complain much. Then again, she was half Russian.