As I’m fluent in Mandarin and English, I’d like to learn a third language.
Problem is, I’m not sure which.
What third language do you think would be the best for me to learn and why?
I’ve been thinking about Japanese, as it seems like it would be the easiest language to learn/become fairly fluent in for me. If I were to remain in Taiwan forever, it certainly would be the best choice. And there are many resources to learn Japanese here. Heck, there are even 4 or 5 Japanese TV channels on cable.
What would be the most lucrative third language to learn though? Translation-wise?
I don’t know about lucrative, but for me there’s no question it would be Spanish. First, half of California, and a significant percent of the rest of the US speaks Spanish as a first language. Second, there are lots of great countries one can travel to and speak Spanish. Third, and most importantly, it’s easy.
In fact, I sometimes regret I didn’t move to Mexico and learn spanish instead of coming to Taiwan. :s
I’d want to be able to speak with humpback whales.
But, didja know that HB whales from one pod cannot understand HB whales from another pod? I read that somewhere a while back. I find that really interesting. So, you’d have to select a particular pod first, and then try to learn the language spoken by that pod of HB whales.
Edit: OK, maybe the language is not so distinct as to be different in each particular pod:
[quote=“Tigerman”]I’d want to be able to speak with humpback whales.
But, didja know that HB whales from one pod cannot understand HB whales from another pod? I read that somewhere a while back. I find that really interesting. So, you’d have to select a particular pod first, and then try to learn the language spoken by that pod of HB whales.[/quote]
Naw, I already speak Dog and dogs are a lot furrier and cuddley.
In terms of global reach, you’ve got the two biggest already - next in importance is probably Spanish, followed by Arabic, Russian, French, Japanese and German. Unfortunately there’s a dis-incentive to learn western European languages as many people from those countries already have good English.
The most lucrative language to learn is possibly not the widest-spoken - there are tons of Spanish-English bilinguals around, so competition would be fierce in that market. However, I have a Taiwanese friend with good Spanish (on the way to fluency) and there are opportunities around for her, it seems. A good proportion of Taiwan’s dwindling supply of diplomatic allies are Spanish-speaking.
I’d be interested to see how quickly you could learn Japanese - obviously the kana wouldn’t present too much of a problem, but I wonder if it’s as easy for native Mandarin speakers as you think - the make-up of the language is obviously completely different from Mandarin and friends who have learnt all seem to point to the complex grammar and heavily nuanced flavour of the language as an obstacle to easy fluency. Not too hard to get to the level of conversing like a kid, but much tougher to reach fully-functional-adult status.
I think the next language I learn will be something “interesting”; i.e. not one of the usual suspects. After all, anything is going to look easy after squinting at Chinese characters for the last three years. Perhaps Portuguese, or maybe something Eastern European (Polish, Czech?). My old man speaks Arabic, but it’s not really a part of the world I’m that interested in going to at the moment. Hmm, now you’ve got me thinking…
Most lucrative language besides English and Chinese: Arabic, followed by a semi-obscure Central Asian language that would be useful working for a oil company (doing the Peace Corps in Central Asia would be a nice change in scenery from Taiwan). I think being to able to do English, Chinese, and Arabic would be more lucrative than English, Chinese, and Spanish, but what the hell do I know? I would be making 3-4 times more money today if I had never come to China/Taiwan.
Most culturally fulfilling language: Italian (opera), followed closely by Russian (literature)
Most useful language if you’re settling in Taiwan: Taiwanese, which is orders of magnitude more fun to speak than Chinese.
[quote=“Mother Theresa”]I don’t know about lucrative, but for me there’s no question it would be Spanish. First, half of California, and a significant percent of the rest of the US speaks Spanish as a first language. Second, there are lots of great countries one can travel to and speak Spanish. Third, and most importantly, it’s easy. [/quote]Agreed.
[quote=“Taffy”]I’d be interested to see how quickly you could learn Japanese - obviously the kana wouldn’t present too much of a problem, but I wonder if it’s as easy for native Mandarin speakers as you think - the make-up of the language is obviously completely different from Mandarin and friends who have learnt all seem to point to the complex grammar and heavily nuanced flavour of the language as an obstacle to easy fluency. Not too hard to get to the level of conversing like a kid, but much tougher to reach fully-functional-adult status.[/quote]That’s what I’ve heard too.
[quote=“alidarbac”]Most lucrative language besides English and Chinese: Arabic…
Most culturally fulfilling language: Italian (opera), followed closely by Russian (literature)
Most useful language if you’re settling in Taiwan: Taiwanese, which is orders of magnitude more fun to speak than Chinese.[/quote]Most beautiful-sounding language: (Brazilian) Portuguese.
Ever since I started reading about Icelandic history and Snorri Sturluson I’ve been obsessed with trying to learn Icelandic. The only problem is that it’s impossible to find any Icelandic people who don’t already speak 100% perfect English or have any interest in teaching me. Booo.
[quote=“llary”]Ever since I started reading about Icelandic history and Snorri Sturluson I’ve been obsessed with trying to learn Icelandic. The only problem is that it’s impossible to find any Icelandic people who don’t already speak 100% perfect English or have any interest in teaching me. Booo.[/quote]Go work in a fish packing factory for six months.
I think my next language is German, unfortunately.
