is German more important than French???

Question

I need to know before I start a language program. I already know Italian and Spanish, so I need to know which one is more important.

Answer 1

Perhaps French is a little more important. French used to have a lot of international use traditionally, but has been displaced in that by English, BUT it depends on where you are and with whom you are communicating.
1) If you are in Europe, then about equal: German has more native speakers [around 100 million in 3 countries], but French [around 65 million in 4 countries in Europe] is very well spread too. German is still sometimes used as a lingua franca in parts of eastern Europe (Hungary, Czech Rep.), although again English is becoming predominant as a 2nd language there too.
2) Outside of Europe, German is of practically no use. French however can be used in Canada and a handful of islands around the world, for example, and most importantly in a very large area on the African continent. In some countries there, such as Morrocco, French would be essential; even with Spanish or English, you can´t really get by there once you go south of Tangier without French. Also, and for this reason (its massive presence in Africa), French is one of the 6 UN languages,which gives it another plus-point.
3) Bear in mind that Germans generally speak better English than the French, so in terms of pure necessity, French would also be of more use.
4) French would be easier for you (as you already speak 2 other Romance languages), but you asked about importance primarily. In that sense, depends on whether you want an easier language to learn (French) or do something different and have more of a challenge (German).
5) For cultural usage, again they´re about equal. Depends on whether you would prefer Wagner, for example, or chansons from the 1920s (to use music as an example).
I would say French is more important, but you´ll find German very rewarding and useful too.

Answer 2

You would find French far easier than German, as you know Italian and Spanish already. Most of us have a mindset which pushes us towards one group of languages rather than another. You find the Romance languages natural to you and German requires a completely different approach and thought process. You will know a great deal of the vocabulary already if you opt for French and the grammar will be familiar.

On the other hand, you know English, which is a very good start in learning German. It is much easier for an English speaker to acquire a German accent than a French one.

You know why you are studying and what you hope to do with your languages. Good luck, whichever you choose!

Answer 3

This depends so much on your situation! What language has more users in your area? What language is spoken in your favorite vacation countries? What language is most important in your line of work?

French will be easier to learn if you know Italian & Spanish, and on the whole I think German speakers are more likely to know English (my experiences in German & France; in Germany I could get along quite well with English but in France I had more trouble, although I also must add this was in my high school years, about 20 years ago. I haven't traveled to France recently).

Answer 4

In critical africa and a number of different former french/belgian colonies, French. In critical europe (switzerland, austria, germany, denmark poland) German. For local audio system of english, German is slightly more difficult than French. Economic development isn't what makes a language principal. Use is. The quantity of audio system who talk english should not be a criterium. There's tons of priceless phrases and expressions for which english does no longer have equivalents

Answer 5

French is a Latin language, if you know Italian and Spanish, it will be easier. But as you speak english, you'll find German easy too, only words sounds weird, you'll have to get used to it.

I'm very good at franch, but it's not as important as english, I always argued my french teacher who told me that french is the most useful language on the earth. Everybody speak french .... ma' vai !!!!

Answer 6

If you learn one romance language it is easier to learn another. Depending on the writing or field you are interested in one may be more "important" than another. Actually I would advise learning Chineese if it is an option. There is more discussion about religion and hard science in German than in French, but the Chineese are catching up fast.

Answer 7

It depends on your countries import&export relations between Germany and France.

For me; German language makes more money in Türkiye.

Answer 8

German is NOT "quite limited to Germany, Austria and Switzerland" =.= its second most popular language in Europe after English ( I'm from PL and I learn German. My friend from Ukraine also has it in school )

Answer 9

Your question is too non-specific to answer.

Is it "more important" HOW? What will you be using the language FOR? (In what part of the world do you live--or intend to live--and which language is more widely useful there?)

Please re-state your question.

Cheers!

Answer 10

in term of users, French is better : Canada, France of course and a lot of African countries.

German is quite limited to Germany, Austria and Switzerland