Language, do you speak it?

[Cuddlefish]

I need to pick a foriegn language to take for next semester. Suggestions?

Notes: I have a hard time learning new languages, so something easy for a dumb American.

Also, my long term plan includes studying abroad (and studying a broad), so learning the language of a country with good schools would be nice.

Plus, I'd like to learn the language of one of you foriegn spags, so I can go visit stalk and harras you.

[hooplala]

Seems like Chinese will be a more and more useful language to speak in the future...

[LMNO]

One of the Romance languages would probably work for you.

Spanish, French, Italian, etc.

[AFK]

Seems like Chinese will be a more and more useful language to speak in the future...

This is the correct motorcycle.  

[Suu]

German is easy, as it's a cousin language to English, but the grammar can be tricky at times. I've done 3.5 years of study in it and there's still concepts of the grammar I'm having a hard time with. And definite/indefinite articles, they have 3 genders, whereas English only has neuter.

Right now Spanish is the most useful within the US, hands down.

But since you're a lit major, you may want to try French.

[Jenne]

Spanish, I'd say Chinese, but it ain't that easy with the orthographical and semiotic differences.  Spanish = easy, more intuitive for the native English speaker.  Chinese (Mandarin) = not easy, but perhaps better if you plan to go into business...

Interestingly enough, more and more Chinese and Japanese companies are REQUIRING their workers to take English courses before they're hired.

[LMNO]

LEARN ALBANIAN LANGUAGE!

[Phox]

You should not ask me such a question.  

But if you want any actually useful language: German, Spanish, or French ought to be among your top choices. German is the easiest IMO, because it's linguistically close to English. French is very difficult because of the pronunciation and lack thereof.

If you want a language that is relatively easy to learn, contextually useful, and probably won't require an oral exam: Latin.

[Suu]

You should not ask me such a question.  

But if you want any actually useful language: German, Spanish, or French ought to be among your top choices. German is the easiest IMO, because it's linguistically close to English. French is very difficult because of the pronunciation and lack thereof.

If you want a language that is relatively easy to learn, contextually useful, and probably won't require an oral exam: Latin.

Bullshit. I had oral exams in Latin.

However, if you do take Latin, you can probably Rosetta Stone any Romance Language and pick it up twice as fast.

[Phox]

You should not ask me such a question.  

But if you want any actually useful language: German, Spanish, or French ought to be among your top choices. German is the easiest IMO, because it's linguistically close to English. French is very difficult because of the pronunciation and lack thereof.

If you want a language that is relatively easy to learn, contextually useful, and probably won't require an oral exam: Latin.

Bullshit. I had oral exams in Latin.

However, if you do take Latin, you can probably Rosetta Stone any Romance Language and pick it up twice as fast.

I never had oral exams.

[Whatever]

What is your major?  I would pick the language that would best compliment that. 

[Suu]

You should not ask me such a question.  

But if you want any actually useful language: German, Spanish, or French ought to be among your top choices. German is the easiest IMO, because it's linguistically close to English. French is very difficult because of the pronunciation and lack thereof.

If you want a language that is relatively easy to learn, contextually useful, and probably won't require an oral exam: Latin.

Bullshit. I had oral exams in Latin.

However, if you do take Latin, you can probably Rosetta Stone any Romance Language and pick it up twice as fast.

I never had oral exams.

We had COMPETITIONS. 

[Cuddlefish]

Right now, I'm a lit major. But I plan to do programs in history and philosphy as well.

I've been told German is easy, and I've been thinking about taking French. Latin would be a sure fire winner, but it's not offered where I'm at right now.

So, I guess it's a toss-up between French and German... But aren't the French really snooty about thier language?

[Remington]

Canadian is pretty easy to learn.

[LMNO]

aren't the French really snooty about thier language?

Your rite, their really picky about how yuo speak there language.