Second Languages?
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| Petergd
(@petergd)
10 months, 2 weeks ago ago
I need to take a second language for my University and I am having trouble deciding what to take…I took Spanish for a couple of years in high school but I hated it. I am leaning towards Latin at the moment, but I think French or sign-language would be cool too…Do any of you HEthians have any foreign language experience? Particularly those I just mentioned? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks. |
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| Sasho Stoyanov
Yeah, my second is English. Go figure! Choose a language that would help you in your field of work in the future, that’s basically the main reason one should study languages, unless you just have a lot of free time. |
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| Christian
(@christian92)
10 months, 2 weeks ago ago 1
I can’t recommend Latin. It’s a dead language, you can’t communicate with it and it’s harder to learn since there are no books or whatever in that language which would make it easier to learn. (For example I read books and watch movies in English to learn it and it’s extremely effective) |
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| The_truth_is_
(@sirensetmefree)
10 months, 2 weeks ago ago 1
Spanish or Chinese, bro. |
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| Heron
Here in Belgium almost everybody speaks Dutch, French, English and Spanish or German. When reading your original post, I would strongly recommend French! |
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| Jesse David
Chinese would be beneficial.. but at the same time I’d rather learn a language derived from Latin first; and then go to Chinese or somewhere along that line |
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| Petergd
(@petergd)
10 months, 2 weeks ago ago
@beyond, That’s awesome. I’ve heard English is the hardest language to learn…I am studying Nutritional Sciences at the moment and I don’t really know what type of work I am going to be doing in the future, or where I am going to be living, so it is kinda tough to decide based off of those reasons. I think Latin seems pretty interesting though…it’s like the Godfather of all languages ha. |
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| Petergd
(@petergd)
10 months, 2 weeks ago ago
@christian92, point well taken, Latin is pretty much a dead language…but it has so much history and I find it so interesting even though I hardly know any Latin. @sirensetmefree, @eshai Chinese would be awesome, and open a lot of opportunities, but my roommate last year did it 5 days a week and he said it was hell. Nothing good comes easy though. @heron, Thanks for your insight! French does seem tantalizing…my friend took it last semester and she loved it, it is beginning to seem like the most realistic choice. |
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| Martie
(@sunbeams)
10 months, 2 weeks ago ago 1
In some science fields, Greek and Latin can be useful to know since many scientific terms are based on these languages. However, I am not sure how it is in Nutritional Sciences. Try to determine which region you are going to be based in. I would recommend French if it’s Europe/Africa, Spanish if it’s South America/Caribbean, and Mandarin or Arabic if Asia/Africa. |
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| alexa
Well, what are you majoring in? If its anything down the medical field, Latin is always good to know. I took Latin, French and Greek, and then Russian, Italian and taught myself Scottish Gaelic. Of course, three out of those six language are absolutely useless over here in America, unless I happen upon a Greek/Italian/Russian community. Hahaha. But, they’re all fun. Personally, I’d take up French as a language. It’s truly a beautiful language to learn, and it’s a nice step outside the masculine languages. However, if you don’t want a total challenge (because French can be pretty hard pronunciation wise) opt for a masculine language. Cryptic languages are fun too! People have already suggested Spanish. If you’ve taken a full three years in high school of a specific language, I also suggest sticking to that language. It’ll be an easier progression, but again, learning a new language is always fun. Best of luck! |
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| Petergd
(@petergd)
10 months, 1 week ago ago
@alexa, Damn, you’re like a human translator! I have recently been questioning my major so it is hard to base which language I choose off of that. While I did dedicate two years of high school to Spanish, most of it went in one ear and out the other. But since I am so close to the border, and because I love Mexican food… Spanish might be the best choice. I just don’t find it as cool/interesting as just about every other language in the world. |
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| Anonymous
Spanish and English are the most practical. Mandarin may soon be quasissential for alot of people. German is probably the easiest to learn for a native English speaker – it’s logical and uses similar syntax. French is…good for sex? Latin is the most interesting. Here, have some latin http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/ So much to learn, so much time. Try Hindi, you can speak it while belly dancing. |
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| Anonymous
Technology can’t belly dance, babe. Now I’m fantasizing about technophiles…thanks. |
| BrOrth
I know it seems daunting at first, but learning Russian can land you a cute girlfriend. (Currently in Russia right now). As for usage, you can set foot in any former Soviet country and be understood. Think 1/3 of the world, from the Pacific to Germany. Culturally something I noticed, is that Russians know that few people attempt to speak their language outside of Russia, which makes them very forgiving if you make mistakes conversationally. Don’t forget to factor in the demand for Russian in the economics,finance, energy, and tech fields. Last but not least it looks badass and is mysterious |
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| Sillas Gonzaga
Portuguese. I’m brazilian, I can help you to learn this language. |
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| joliejulia
(@joliejulia06)
10 months, 1 week ago ago 2
@petergd, I’ve got to recommend Chinese. I just started learning a couple years ago and it has proven to be the most useful language in almost every part of the world I travel. Mandarin, all the way! It’s actually not as difficult as it seems, the speaking and listening; reading and writing are challenging, but just take patience. Learning Chinese has opened up a TON of job opportunities for me; I can’t speak highly enough of it. Plus, it’s just really cool! |
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| ELI
(@manimal)
10 months, 1 week ago ago 1
Spanish, Chinese, Arab, these languages are useful because they’re widespread. My second language is english though. But I speak fairly good spanish too, and I’m gonna learn Chinese. |
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| SMC
I guess I can call myself lucky, that I live in Switzerland, because now I can talk in Spanish, English, French, German and Swiss German. Cheers. |
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| Carl
(@birdofprey)
10 months, 1 week ago ago
@beyond I study languages. French is such a great language and I study it purely to enjoy it. I’m even going to live in Lyon in September for a year :-) |
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| Jesse David
@petergd, Your right, nothing good comes easy but don’t you find it to be extremely satisfying when whatever it is is achieved? |
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| Petergd
(@petergd)
10 months, 1 week ago ago
@eshai, Yessir, one of the best satisfactions in life if you ask me. |
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| Kestrel
(@kirkhutchison)
10 months, 1 week ago ago
My second language is Russian. It’s really hard to learn, especially for English speakers. French is definitely a good one. |
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