If you had to pick a language to learn, which would it be? and why?

Answer 1

Japanese as it is an interesting language and would surprise people - OR - Latin as it applies to numerous parts of my daily life and would help with the derivations of English - OR - Spanish as it is becoming far more common in the United States and would be very practical in many ways.

Answer 2

When picking a language to learn there are so many variables that need to be considered. Each language is dependant on the complexity it presents to potential students, and the desire and mental discipline that those students command.
The constructed language Esperanto is a strong contender as far as easy languages are concerned since it's use is expanding exponentialy. In numerous studies conducted over the last century, it has been demonstrated that first mastering Esperanto can lessen significantly the amount of instruction required for a third or forth language, because it clearly demonstrated linguistic theory that is useful in understanding languages. The link below provides details on this phenomena.
Now one could say that the same effect would happen with almost any language, and I believe they are correct. So if you are in a position to learn any language, and hope to use it to vault into a third language, then by all means do so.
The only real benefit that Esperanto has over the other tongues in this case is its ease of absorption, and its clear demonstration of linguistic principles.
I frequently make this next statement, and I live by it.

"If you can't learn Esperanto, you can't learn any language."

At the very least, if you learn Esperanto, which by the way can lead to the enjoyment of meeting new friends and traveling to new places, you'll at least have that under your belt regardless of how far you decide to take any other languages.
It's not uncommon for a student of Esperanto to become fluent inside of a month, maybe less, if you've the desire.

Please don't let anybody tell you it's useless. As with anything else, it's use is dependant on how you decide to use it. With over 2,000,000 speakers in the world, there aren't too many places where you won't find it, you just need to look. The internet is the best place to start. The sites below are the best intitial places to investigate the language and it's history. (Yes, it has a history (119 years) and a culture.)
Research and make your own conclusions.

Ĝis!

Answer 3

Esperanto (I speak English, Esperanto, Spanish, and German) Esperanto was far easier to learn than any of the others, and it opened the world to me. I've had conversations with people from every continent, and every country, and I only had to learn the easiest language on earth to do so.

You might ask, why is Esperanto easier to learn than any of the other languages? It's because it is a language designed to be easier to learn than any national language. Most of the time spent studying a foreign language is spent learning the irregularities and rule exceptions ("I before E except after C", " 'sheep' is both singular and plural", etc). Esperanto has only 16 gramatical rules, and no exceptions to any of the rules.

And before you ask, yes you can travel with Esperanto. Read this article in Wikipedia about the Esperanto "Pasporta Servo" (Passport Service)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pasporta_Servo

Answer 4

in america, besides english, spanish is the most used language. i think spanish is definetly a good language to learn. though others are very beautiful, they will never help u in life. i dont know one time when my friends were able to use french(they take that class), but i always go places and people are speaking spanish.

Answer 5

If I had to pick a language, as a mere challenge, then, just any would do fine. As a must, well...probably English (this time right, eh).

Answer 6

If i had to pick a language i would have to say spanish because all of my family is spanish and me and my mom are the only ones who cant speak it! anyway, have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!, Lil Mama 777

Answer 7

I would pick Russian because the accent and the language itself sounds so cute.
: )

Answer 8

Russian, Do The Fact Blonde Russian Babes are so Damn Cute and Hot!!
;) XD

Answer 9

Japanese because I find kanji,katakana,hirigana interesting.

I speak it a little only because I have to speak German in this country, teach my children English, Filipino and Spanish =(

Answer 10

I would like to speak Arabic. I speak a few phrases. My husband is Arab and I would like to be able to speak to him in his native tongue. I would like to be able to speak with his mom and sister but they speak only arabic. He is teaching me Arabic but it is sometimes difficult.