What is your favorite language besides English?

Question

And why?

Answer 1

My kids and I are learning Esperanto. We practice it every day, and believe it or not, Esperanto represents the best chance for the survival of the multitude of dying languages since it's purpose is to forestall the monopoly of any one National tongue to the disadvantage of another.
Consider if you will, Esperanto is an easily learnt AUXILIARY language. This means that myself and that German, Japanese or Korean fellow over there needn't sink a lot of time and effort into learning each others mother tongues if they don't wish, where whose ever tongue we settle to communicate in will hold the advantage in any discussions; since the likelihood of having a mastery of the second language will be remote at best. Each partner has exerted a similar effort in order to communicate; a linguisticly neutral hand shake if you will. Yet we are still free to talk in our mother tongues when and where we choose.
Further, I am now in a position to visit just about every country in the world and with the help of my new found Esperanto speaking friend (2 million plus) learn of his / her culture and language. This second facet is possible because in learning Esperanto I now have a firmer grip on linguistic principles. I will provide a link below on the benefits of learning tertiary languages after Esperanto.
However, if it is Culture you desire, then you've no need to look much further than the Internet. In music there are Folk, Jazz, Opera, Rock, Hip Hop, Rap, childrens' songs, etc. In literature there is multinational translations plus original works. The yearly Esperanto Congresses are a play ground for young and old alike for interaction.
The error it seems that most people make, is the assumption that a focus on one area or language will detract from other areas. Although it may be true to a point, it is extremely unlikely to effect an area to the point of destruction. There are simply too many people in the world to allow that to happen. None of this precludes learning another language.
Conversely, nobody would feel forced to learn it, especially if they've no desire to leave their comfort zone.
The fact is that like it or not, it's use is expanding exponentially. The last educated guess puts the number of functionally fluent speakers at 2 million plus and another 2,000 native speakers (those that were born to an Esperanto household; yes they exist).
Yet many feel almost threatened by it, which is the last intention of the Esperantistoj (ehs-pehr-ahn-TEES-toy). It is simply a tool to allow those that might otherwise struggle to learn a new language, the option of expanding their horizons.
Finally, there is currently $600 million plus a year being spent on translation services at the UN, and a similar amount in the EU, because no one nationality wants to loose the prestige of owning one of the 'working' languages in each of those institutions. This a huge waste of resources that might otherwise go to feeding and housing those less fortunate. A single working language, easily learnt (less than a year to become fluent) would certainly go along way towards that goal. The Universal Esperanto Asociation (UEA) currently holds observer status (class B) at the UN and UNESCO. So there is some movement towards this goal.
Research and draw your own conclusions.

Ĝis!

Answer 2

French. It's been called the language of love, and for many years it was a prime diplomatic (and often business) language.

(Good answers here, though, besides mine!)

Some say Spanish is 'easier' to learn, but (a) I think in cases the regional variations include more distinct dialects (means may be more difficult to master), and (b) it involves two verbs meaning "to be," which is a teensy thorn in the side of the average Enlish speaker.

Another reason French is good is that soooo much is derived from Latin (so you have the perks of Spanish that way, if you want to consider it), but French is still widely spoken.

It's also a pleasant language to hear - not harsh and guttural.

OK, I'll quit gushing over it. Have fun deciding on the language which will be most interesting and helpful to YOU!

Answer 3

Okay, I can't choose between Latin, Japanese, Korean, Spanish and Russian. Honestly, I can't.

Japanese = ANIME and MANGA! I couldn't imagine my life without those two things. I'm not fluent in Japanese; but I'm learning it... very slowly. Anyway, it's just a cool language, if you think about it. But very complex and hard to learn.

Latin = It's a Wiccan-thing. Though; I can only say like one sentence in Latin. -.-; I want to learn more, though.

Korean = My friend's Korean and I watch a lot of Korean Dramas, with subtitles of course, and it has me interested. Very much so. I know less of this than Japanese, but I'm willing to learn more.

Russian - t.A.T.u. I love their band. And their music. They got me started on my Russian phase.

And finally...

Spanish = It's just a cool language.

Though, if I had to choose between them, it'd be Japanese... Latin next... then Korean... then Russian... and last but not least, Spanish.

I also like Greek, Dutch, Portuguese and German... upon many other languages.

Answer 4

Arabic

Answer 5

Spanish - It is my native language, it is very expressful, you can say everything as you feel it or think it!

Russian - I like very much the pronounciation, and the cyirillic alphabet of course.

Answer 6

Italian, because it has the most beautiful way of saying: I love you.

not like those czechs who go like Pichsza te mate. Volimpte!

And I am italian

BTW. Italian number one! There is no "Besides English"

Answer 7

Besides my own language, I like French & Italian coz I think it's romantic! ;)

Answer 8

I prefer German, it is the language of the classical composers and people like Nietzsche and the like, and I just like how it sounds, or mabye it could be that i'm German ;)

Answer 9

Spanish and French because it's like very graceful to say their words...

Answer 10

Deutsch!