Comments on: Best language to learn http://claritaslux.com/blog/best-language-to-learn/ Learning, languages, EU, citizenship Sat, 11 Feb 2012 12:11:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Mark Biernat http://claritaslux.com/blog/best-language-to-learn/comment-page-1/#comment-64098 Mark Biernat Sat, 29 Oct 2011 18:33:24 +0000 http://www.claritaslux.com/blog/?p=1370#comment-64098 I think if you can learn a unque language that is in demand, your value is greatly increased, like Arabic or and Asian language. On second thought what about a language that is unique gives you a niche. Maybe something that complements Spanish like an indigious langugae in South America. Something that native South Americans speak, I would think this to be very interesting as well as vauable. I think if you can learn a unque language that is in demand, your value is greatly increased, like Arabic or and Asian language. On second thought what about a language that is unique gives you a niche. Maybe something that complements Spanish like an indigious langugae in South America. Something that native South Americans speak, I would think this to be very interesting as well as vauable.

]]> By: Omar http://claritaslux.com/blog/best-language-to-learn/comment-page-1/#comment-64092 Omar Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:14:12 +0000 http://www.claritaslux.com/blog/?p=1370#comment-64092 Greetings, (First off, wonderful article!) I come in search of advice and opinions. I am a native English and Spanish bilingual speaker interested in continuing my language studies, considering a career with the U.S. Government at either the CIA or State Department. Since I am Hispanic, I wish to specialize in Latin American affairs and am therefore learning Portuguese as my third language (which is going amazingly well so far!). My thoughts are: since I am well-adapted to Romance languages, would it be in my best interest to continue to learn the rest of the major spoken languages (French, Italian, and Romanian)? Or should I venture off and learn a completely different language, as you well said, to stand out with a unique ability? If so, what distinctive language would be best suited besides English, Spanish and Portuguese in relation to Latin America? I am aware Mandarin Chinese, Russian and Arabic are largely pursued by the CIA/State Department, but considering how long it would take for me to learn even one of these, am I best off learning other languages instead? Advice is greatly appreciated, thanks! Greetings,

(First off, wonderful article!)

I come in search of advice and opinions. I am a native English and Spanish bilingual speaker interested in continuing my language studies, considering a career with the U.S. Government at either the CIA or State Department. Since I am Hispanic, I wish to specialize in Latin American affairs and am therefore learning Portuguese as my third language (which is going amazingly well so far!).

My thoughts are: since I am well-adapted to Romance languages, would it be in my best interest to continue to learn the rest of the major spoken languages (French, Italian, and Romanian)? Or should I venture off and learn a completely different language, as you well said, to stand out with a unique ability? If so, what distinctive language would be best suited besides English, Spanish and Portuguese in relation to Latin America?

I am aware Mandarin Chinese, Russian and Arabic are largely pursued by the CIA/State Department, but considering how long it would take for me to learn even one of these, am I best off learning other languages instead?

Advice is greatly appreciated, thanks!

]]> By: anna http://claritaslux.com/blog/best-language-to-learn/comment-page-1/#comment-63970 anna Wed, 21 Sep 2011 18:03:34 +0000 http://www.claritaslux.com/blog/?p=1370#comment-63970 I like your reasoning, but I got the feeling you didn't take South-Asia into an account. India for example. but I didn't think it through as well as you did with Polish language, nor I wish to spend time pondering on whether or not it is more worthwhile to learn Hindi than Polish. I am Polish girl and have no plans studying Hindi anyway, so I'd rather agree with you. I like your reasoning, but I got the feeling you didn’t take South-Asia into an account. India for example. but I didn’t think it through as well as you did with Polish language, nor I wish to spend time pondering on whether or not it is more worthwhile to learn Hindi than Polish. I am Polish girl and have no plans studying Hindi anyway, so I’d rather agree with you.

]]> By: Mark Biernat http://claritaslux.com/blog/best-language-to-learn/comment-page-1/#comment-63690 Mark Biernat Mon, 11 Jul 2011 08:46:13 +0000 http://www.claritaslux.com/blog/?p=1370#comment-63690 You have a good question. What to learn and how to learn it. It is a personal choice based on your world view and interests. However, like I wrote Polish or a lesser known or far-flung language is of great value if you already know English and another major language like Portuguese. Well did you know Brazil has like a million Polish people? Many Poles dream of living in such a warm place. I think since you know one Latin language, Portuguese and English, what about something totally different. Italian is so similar like Spanish I do not know if it would excite me. Polish or Greek or Norwegian would. It would open your mind up to such a different place. I would personally say a Slavic language. Why? Because Norwegians speak English very well, and there are only like 4 million speakers of this language so maybe it is too small. If you have a base of English, maybe not Greece is another warm Mediterranean type country, with a lot of English speakers because of the international tourism. Not everyone of course, not many people there are multilingual. However, a Slavic language is another world and culture that would open your eyes and brain to another experience. There are many beautiful Slavic girls too of course. You could learn Russian, Polish or Ukrainian lets say and your life would change, I am sure of it. Think how much land Slavic countries occupy on the earth. From Siberia and the pacific to central Europe and southern Europe as well as large communities around the world. Further, the Slavic languages are so closely linked that to learn one give your a passport to another language as there is a lot of shared vocabulary. This is because 1,000 years ago they were basically the same language. I think the Latin languages would have to go further back and they were always dialects. So there is more commonality between Polish and Czech than Spanish and Italian. The best way to start is with material at home. Learn words and not grammar. Once you achieve a certain level go though a grammar book. You do not have to be an expert on grammar just to understand the way a language works. Next expose yourself to the language, with movies and trips if possible or connect with native speakers via Internet chat or message boards have native speakers in your area that can help you. Lets be honest with the Internet, you can get a lot of resources online and via chat. Start reading the news in websites in your target language. You have a good question. What to learn and how to learn it. It is a personal choice based on your world view and interests. However, like I wrote Polish or a lesser known or far-flung language is of great value if you already know English and another major language like Portuguese.

Well did you know Brazil has like a million Polish people? Many Poles dream of living in such a warm place. I think since you know one Latin language, Portuguese and English, what about something totally different. Italian is so similar like Spanish I do not know if it would excite me. Polish or Greek or Norwegian would. It would open your mind up to such a different place.

I would personally say a Slavic language. Why? Because Norwegians speak English very well, and there are only like 4 million speakers of this language so maybe it is too small.
If you have a base of English, maybe not Greece is another warm Mediterranean type country, with a lot of English speakers because of the international tourism. Not everyone of course, not many people there are multilingual.
However, a Slavic language is another world and culture that would open your eyes and brain to another experience. There are many beautiful Slavic girls too of course. You could learn Russian, Polish or Ukrainian lets say and your life would change, I am sure of it. Think how much land Slavic countries occupy on the earth. From Siberia and the pacific to central Europe and southern Europe as well as large communities around the world. Further, the Slavic languages are so closely linked that to learn one give your a passport to another language as there is a lot of shared vocabulary. This is because 1,000 years ago they were basically the same language. I think the Latin languages would have to go further back and they were always dialects. So there is more commonality between Polish and Czech than Spanish and Italian.

The best way to start is with material at home. Learn words and not grammar. Once you achieve a certain level go though a grammar book. You do not have to be an expert on grammar just to understand the way a language works. Next expose yourself to the language, with movies and trips if possible or connect with native speakers via Internet chat or message boards have native speakers in your area that can help you. Lets be honest with the Internet, you can get a lot of resources online and via chat.
Start reading the news in websites in your target language.

]]> By: Saulo Soares http://claritaslux.com/blog/best-language-to-learn/comment-page-1/#comment-63688 Saulo Soares Mon, 11 Jul 2011 02:38:12 +0000 http://www.claritaslux.com/blog/?p=1370#comment-63688 I'm Brazilian and I speak English as a second language, I also speak a little Spanish, because it's taught in my school, but I really don't feel like learning it, I find it so boring. So, just wondering about learning a second foreign language, which one should I pick? I've been thinking of Italian rather than French, because they're easier to learn since I live in a small city and there aren't unusual languages to be learnt here. How could I learn Polish, Greek or Norwegian? What about learning materials such as videos and audio lessons. That's why I think I should learn Italian or French. What do you think? Or should I try to learn Polish for instance on my own, on the internet? I’m Brazilian and I speak English as a second language, I also speak a little Spanish, because it’s taught in my school, but I really don’t feel like learning it, I find it so boring. So, just wondering about learning a second foreign language, which one should I pick? I’ve been thinking of Italian rather than French, because they’re easier to learn since I live in a small city and there aren’t unusual languages to be learnt here.
How could I learn Polish, Greek or Norwegian? What about learning materials such as videos and audio lessons. That’s why I think I should learn Italian or French. What do you think? Or should I try to learn Polish for instance on my own, on the internet?

]]> By: anne sophie http://claritaslux.com/blog/best-language-to-learn/comment-page-1/#comment-63630 anne sophie Mon, 20 Jun 2011 23:20:38 +0000 http://www.claritaslux.com/blog/?p=1370#comment-63630 @lumiosaa : Well, of course you are an expert in French language and all its accents ! =) So, as a French girl, I can tell you that the Parisian accent ( = le "neutral" one ) isn't the best to hear, but rather the southern one, because it "sings" pretty much more. Then I agree, the northern accent is much less agreeable to listen to. Then, slang is never "pretty" ! Even in English ! Surprised ? The grammar is crappy? Well, at least it is because the language is very rich and that's what gives it all its charm. You can feel pride in a French-speaker's voice? Could you please stop with your clichés? Something else, when you say that French doesn't deserve its "romantic" grammar, let me tell you that no one in France thinks it actually is. We agree that Italian is much more "romantic". But we are, indeed, proud of our mother tongue, and even if only a few people actually masters it properly. Finally, No one here looks down at somebody who tries to speak our language. At the contrary, we think it's charming and we are pleased to help them a bit. Well I didn't want to sound unpleasant or offended but I have to admit that I don't like to be criticized that easily (even if it is indirectly) Besides, I guess it's the case for everyone. And as far as the article is concerned, I'm not that sure with you. I think you are too partial, as you wrote it all by yourself. - Because you already liked Poland, and Polish people and language when you started studying it. In Poland, people are bilingual from birth, because they are aware that it's necessary (just like people from Holland, Scandinavian and slavic countries). At school, they learn German, Russian, English, Italian and French, in general. That's why Polish isn't that important in the world. And, by the way, it's not the hardest language ever (how can you know that? Maybe it's the hardest you have ever learnt, but you don't know every language of the world, do you?) For instance, Russian is close to it, but with another alphabet and sharper grammar points. Again, I didn't want to sound impolite or cynical, but I wanted to react to the article and its comment. @lumiosaa : Well, of course you are an expert in French language and all its accents ! =) So, as a French girl, I can tell you that the Parisian accent ( = le “neutral” one ) isn’t the best to hear, but rather the southern one, because it “sings” pretty much more. Then I agree, the northern accent is much less agreeable to listen to.
Then, slang is never “pretty” ! Even in English ! Surprised ?
The grammar is crappy? Well, at least it is because the language is very rich and that’s what gives it all its charm.
You can feel pride in a French-speaker’s voice? Could you please stop with your clichés?
Something else, when you say that French doesn’t deserve its “romantic” grammar, let me tell you that no one in France thinks it actually is. We agree that Italian is much more “romantic”. But we are, indeed, proud of our mother tongue, and even if only a few people actually masters it properly.
Finally, No one here looks down at somebody who tries to speak our language. At the contrary, we think it’s charming and we are pleased to help them a bit.

Well I didn’t want to sound unpleasant or offended but I have to admit that I don’t like to be criticized that easily (even if it is indirectly) Besides, I guess it’s the case for everyone.

And as far as the article is concerned, I’m not that sure with you. I think you are too partial, as you wrote it all by yourself. – Because you already liked Poland, and Polish people and language when you started studying it.
In Poland, people are bilingual from birth, because they are aware that it’s necessary (just like people from Holland, Scandinavian and slavic countries). At school, they learn German, Russian, English, Italian and French, in general. That’s why Polish isn’t that important in the world. And, by the way, it’s not the hardest language ever (how can you know that? Maybe it’s the hardest you have ever learnt, but you don’t know every language of the world, do you?) For instance, Russian is close to it, but with another alphabet and sharper grammar points.

Again, I didn’t want to sound impolite or cynical, but I wanted to react to the article and its comment.

]]> By: john meyers http://claritaslux.com/blog/best-language-to-learn/comment-page-1/#comment-63530 john meyers Wed, 04 May 2011 10:19:28 +0000 http://www.claritaslux.com/blog/?p=1370#comment-63530 French and why because they have almost 300 million speakers and they are the 4th wealthiest country in the world in south america they speak french a lot i was surprised in africa 69% of them speak french in europe (Germany 15% speaks french as first, italy 25% , in belgium 39% ) every were english is usually french is i have done much traveling and most spanish kids learn French most french kids learn english and most german kids learn french/english and uk learns french so french is very useful for business and recreation they are some of the nicest people too. French and why because they have almost 300 million speakers and they are the 4th wealthiest country in the world in south america they speak french a lot i was surprised in africa 69% of them speak french in europe (Germany 15% speaks french as first, italy 25% , in belgium 39% ) every were english is usually french is i have done much traveling and most spanish kids learn French most french kids learn english and most german kids learn french/english and uk learns french so french is very useful for business and recreation they are some of the nicest people too.

]]> By: Mark Biernat http://claritaslux.com/blog/best-language-to-learn/comment-page-1/#comment-63520 Mark Biernat Tue, 26 Apr 2011 06:29:23 +0000 http://www.claritaslux.com/blog/?p=1370#comment-63520 I would choose the language you are passionate about. Study the history or the people or even what your familiy has a conection to. I like Slavic languages as this is where my grandparents came from, however, something like Arabic or Chinese is also interesting as these are major world languages that not every American speaks. Spanish might be the most useful though. I would choose the language you are passionate about. Study the history or the people or even what your familiy has a conection to. I like Slavic languages as this is where my grandparents came from, however, something like Arabic or Chinese is also interesting as these are major world languages that not every American speaks. Spanish might be the most useful though.

]]> By: Mantheos http://claritaslux.com/blog/best-language-to-learn/comment-page-1/#comment-63519 Mantheos Tue, 26 Apr 2011 03:38:22 +0000 http://www.claritaslux.com/blog/?p=1370#comment-63519 Well I'm not a fluent speaker of any language other that my native English and I'm 16 years old. I have always had a great fascination with speaking different languages so over the years I've kinda dipped and prodded at Spanish, Russian, Greek, and some other European ones and know a lot of basic things. One day I want a job helping people cross the language barrier in business or military work. The problem is it's really hard to figure out a path to take, not sure about Polish though even though some one I look up to is Polish. I'm still young, what do any of y'all think I should do with what I have . Just curious? Well I’m not a fluent speaker of any language other that my native English and I’m 16 years old. I have always had a great fascination with speaking different languages so over the years I’ve kinda dipped and prodded at Spanish, Russian, Greek, and some other European ones and know a lot of basic things. One day I want a job helping people cross the language barrier in business or military work. The problem is it’s really hard to figure out a path to take, not sure about Polish though even though some one I look up to is Polish. I’m still young, what do any of y’all think I should do with what I have . Just curious?

]]> By: Agusia http://claritaslux.com/blog/best-language-to-learn/comment-page-1/#comment-63233 Agusia Tue, 18 Jan 2011 17:30:40 +0000 http://www.claritaslux.com/blog/?p=1370#comment-63233 Right.. I'm Polish... What other language I can learn? I mean I know English I have been living in London for past four years. I speak some Spanish (intermediate) I was in Spain last year and I didn't have any problems with communication. I know very basic French, but I don't know now is it worth it to learn? or should I concentrate just on Spanish?. I mean I love both of these languages but are they useful? If for example I would like to get a 'better job' ? I'm so confused... :) Right.. I’m Polish… What other language I can learn? I mean I know English I have been living in London for past four years. I speak some Spanish (intermediate) I was in Spain last year and I didn’t have any problems with communication. I know very basic French, but I don’t know now is it worth it to learn? or should I concentrate just on Spanish?. I mean I love both of these languages but are they useful? If for example I would like to get a ‘better job’ ?
I’m so confused… :)

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