What will be the second language to know over the next 30 years for someone based in the US?

[b0mbrman]

Hi all,


In light of current events and where the world is headed, which direction would you go with learning a second language? Let's assume you were starting at zero: All you can speak is English.

 

[overst33r]

chinese /thread

 

[compnovice]

L33T

 

[Finality]

Mandarin chinese, and spanish.

Both those languages will get you an upper hand on any job/prospects that would come around.

As for spiritual gain thats a big?

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: Finality
As for spiritual gain thats a big?

Well, just going for financial and social gain makes it sound like all I care about is making money and meeting women

As for my background in language, I studied Spanish in high school and some Italian in college.

I'm currently studying Arabic and am progressing pretty well (read/write/enough conversation to get by). However I'm starting to get burnt out because it feels like I'll never use it after I leave this place.

 

[DaWhim]

there will only be a few to learn...
spanish for south americas
chinese for asia
german for europe
arabic for middle east

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: mariok2006
chinese /thread

Let's also throw ROI into the mix...Chinese might be great skill to have, but wouldn't it also be the hardest to learn?

...or is that a myth?

 

[leon94]

Danish

 

[BW86]

Mandarin
Hindi

 

[Journer]

Klingon (sp?)

 

[shortylickens]

Originally posted by: b0mbrman

Originally posted by: mariok2006
chinese /thread

Let's also throw ROI into the mix...Chinese might be great skill to have, but wouldn't it also be the hardest to learn?

...or is that a myth?

Myth.
English is still the hardest language in the world.

Mostly because there are more exceptions than rules.
And those exceptions have rules.

 

[Journer]

Originally posted by: shortylickens

Originally posted by: b0mbrman

Originally posted by: mariok2006
chinese /thread

Let's also throw ROI into the mix...Chinese might be great skill to have, but wouldn't it also be the hardest to learn?

...or is that a myth?

Myth.
English is still the hardest language in the world.

Mostly because there are more exceptions than rules.
And those exceptions have rules.

true...i started learning german in high school...10x easier...rules dont break rules and rules for those broken rules O_O english is freaking crazy

 

[SirStev0]

I agree with chinese...

 

[Turkish]

see my user name

 

[Ronstang]

Originally posted by: mariok2006
chinese /thread

Not likely. You guys seriously overestimate your importance and ability. China is facing huge problems but like all communist countries hide those to make it look like they are stronger than they are. If the US crashes China goes right with it, and that is what it would take for Chinese as a language to become important here. Without a US economy the Chinese economy collapses right in step. There are not enough Chinese people in the US to influence the language in the US that much anyway. You guys need a reality check.

 

[ManSnake]

Easy choice - Communist Chinese.

 

[leon94]

Originally posted by: Turkish
see my user name

:thumbsup:

Thats even better!

 

[dugweb]

For the typical bloke living in the US...

Spanish most deffinately.

 

[b0mbrman]

I added a sweet poll

 

[aswedc]

Why don't you stick with Arabic? The Middle East is going to be huge. Countries with the most contruction cranes 1) China, 2) UAE.

 

[whistleclient]

Business call: Chinese
Chatting with your mugger: Spanish
Pleading for your life with your terrorist: Arabic or Farsi

 

[Turkish]

Originally posted by: aswedc
Why don't you stick with Arabic? The Middle East is going to be huge. Countries with the most contruction cranes 1) China, 2) UAE.

Actually UAE (mainly Dubai) has 2/3 of world's construction cranes :shocked:

 

[aswedc]

Poll is missing French. At least as important as German or Italian.

 

[aswedc]

Originally posted by: Turkish

Originally posted by: aswedc
Why don't you stick with Arabic? The Middle East is going to be huge. Countries with the most contruction cranes 1) China, 2) UAE.

Actually UAE (mainly Dubai) has 2/3 of world's construction cranes :shocked:

I really doubt that is true. From reputable media sources I've seen numbers for Dubai anywhere from 16% to 33%. Seems like no one really knows exactly how many cranes there are in the world.

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: aswedc
Poll is missing French. At least as important as German or Italian.

I just tossed in the ones that had already been mentioned in the thread.