Which is more useful to learn out of the two: French or German?

Answer 1

It appears to me that all those saying "French" are focused on what they think is most enjoyable. . .but that's not what you asked about!

For travel or business it would depend on where you expect to work. But for academic work the answer is GERMAN, hands down.

So if there is any possibility of your doing graduate work, get the German. Most fields require a reading knowledge of certain modern foreign languages. I believe MORE of them require German than French (not positive), but if you should have to pick one up at that point you'll be in MUCH better shape having to pick up the French than trying to start German. (I had to test in both in graduate school, as did a friend of mine. He had studied French before; I knew German. I had a MUCH easier time of it.)

That is, of course, a rule of thumb. If you have a field of special interest, check to see what THAT field requires. (Thus, if you think you might go on in medieval church history, get the Latin!)

Answer 2

I determined a web site that has a quite in-intensity evaluation of a organization of languages and ranks them so as of such a lot influential to least. According to this web page, probably the most priceless moment languages for an English speaker are: a million. French: 24 features two. Spanish 21 features three. Arabic thirteen.five features four. German 12 features five. Russian eleven features 6. Italian 10.five features 7. Hindustani nine.five features eight. Mandarin nine.five features nine. Portuguese eight features 10. Swahili 6.five features eleven. Japanese five.five features 12. Turkish five.five features So in line with this web page French wins palms down. I'm no longer certain I agree entirely with it - I'd obviously positioned Mandarin approximately the equal as Arabic, however I admittedly have not particularly seemed into it.

Answer 3

In terms of numbers of speakers (both as a first or second language), French outstrips German: France, Belgium, Canada, USA, Vietnam and numerous African nations.

In terms of literature, French wins again. While there are many great German writers, French was as dominant a language among universities, historians and intellectuals as English or Latin.

And as for "official languages" of many international bodies (the UN, the olympics, the FIA, air traffic control and airplanes, among others), English and French are the only languages common to all.

Answer 4

It depends on where you live and your needs. If you live in Canada, probably French. If you live near Germany or work with a lot of german citizens, pick up German. If you live in the US, grab some spanish. The nice part about French is that is very similar to Spanish and Italian, so once you learn one, you can pick up the others relatively easy. Based on that, I would go with French.

Answer 5

French.

Answer 6

French is no. 10 on the list of most spoken languages in the world. German is no. 12. So, depending on why you want to learn a new language (job, fun...), French could be more useful.
German is spoken in: Germany, Austria, Central Europe
French is spoken in: France, Canada, West Africa, Central Africa

Answer 7

French. But if you want to learn a language that's even more useful, learn Spanish

Answer 8

If you live in Canada, I'd say French. Even in Europe, most Germans know how to speak English anyway so it would be pointless to learn it just for them.

Answer 9

French will be more useful, because as said above, Spanish is very useful, but atleast if you know French you will be able to pick up on some Spanish and romantic languages in general. And in Germany anyone who is educated speeks English.

Answer 10

French all the way - went to France last yr for the 1st time got bck and i have used french every where its also become a modernised language and is found around everywhere - ex nivea visage - visage=face lol