what is the most useful language to learn.?

Question

i already speak english and want to learn a new language what do you think is the best language to learn

Answer 1

German is a good language to learn. I tried learning Russian for a year but only grasped the basics (i will finish it one day), but i decided on German. It is not nearly as hard as people make out and shares a lot of similarities with English ie. both being Germanic languages. Its also very useful if you plan to visit/ work in Europe. Its the most spoken language in Europe, is a first for Eastern Europeans learning a new language and its great for your career (massive companies like Siemens, BMW, Bosch etc. are all German). And Germany, Austria and Switzerland are all beautiful countries.
Good luck anyway.

Answer 2

How about a language that can help you learn other languages?
Stay with me here because it's quite long but worth it.
I frequently make this statement and I live by it.
'If you can't learn Esperanto, you can't learn any language.'
Believe it or not, Esperanto represents the best chance for the survival of the multitude of dying languages since it's purpose is to provide an alternative to any one National tongue to the disadvantage of others.
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 3

Depends where you're going to live.... If the U.S. go with Spanish... the latin population is a growing minority. I agree with another reply on China; business in that part of the world is growing and the language is in demand. But to make up your own mind maybe to a search online for jobs of any language.
Also, a suggestion, choose one you can immerse yourself in. I studied French a few years back and have forgotten it since I don't get to practice it often.

Answer 4

My favorite language is Esperanto. I love the dream behind it, to promote world peace through everyone speaking the same neutral second language. I also love the fact that learning Esperanto has allowed me to speak to people from all over the world, from many different cultures, without falling prey to the world's opinion of US citizens at large, that we expect everyone to learn English.

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

Answer 5

If you live in the US: probably Spanish, as their are obviously many Hispanic, Spanish speaking residents in the US.

However, if you are pursuing a career in buisness that may involve international travel or contact, you may want to consider Mandarin. The Chinese economy is booming and many consider Mandarin to be the language of the future.

Answer 6

It depends mainly on what you want to get from learning it...I would start by asking myself "what is the culture that I am more interested in" or "where am I planning to travel"

I would suggest you Spanish...(because I speak it... lol) but also because you can travel to South America, Spain and even in Equatorial Guinea...

I could teach you if u want...and if you help me with my English ;)

Answer 7

Spanish

Answer 8

Well, mabye go with the most spoken languages.
I would learn Spanish if I were you.

Answer 9

mandarin. accdg to time magazine, after 10 yrs, mandarin will be like the universal lang...

Answer 10

well i'm half dutch and have scottish- gaylic but i think the most useful lanuage would be french... Parle vous Francais? lol