2007-03-18 06:05:00 · 14 answers · asked by Andy 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
There are lots of languages and it depends... as with all things.
Many years ago people thought Japanese would be the most important global language. Right now people think it will be Mandarin Chinese.
I think English will be the most important language for quite some time.
Spanish in the U.S. will be increasingly important. It's the most spoken language in this hemisphere.
Arabic is also a highly sought after skill for US government agencies.
I'd pick Spanish as my top choice (ease of learning and most practical in the US) and Mandarin as my second choice.
2007-03-18 06:08:36 · answer #1 · answered by Eric L 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Listed by number of speakers:
Mandarin, Hindi, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, Portuguese, Bengali, Malay, French, Japanese, German, Farsi, Urdu, Punjabi.
Since China is such a powerhouse and the Chinese don't speak great English, Mandarin is a useful option but very difficult, with the written language denoting meaning rather than sounds. Many Indians speak good English but to learn the language will confer an advantage in business with India. Same sort of thing goes for a lot of those languages. Russian, French and German could be useful due to the volume of trade with Europe and with French-speakers, and Japanese or Malay would be seriously impressive. If you deal in fashion or fabrics go for Italian.
Good luck!
2007-03-18 13:29:23 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you really need to, learn these languages:
1. Spanish (if you plan to stay in the americas)
2. Tie: Russian, Arabic (most Asian countries i know of speak those languages, such as Uzbekistan, Kazakstan, Tajikastan, and russia speak Russian)
3. The only reason Mandarin Chinese is the most known language is because China has the biggest population. Learn that last. (it is too hard anyway).
2007-03-18 13:12:41 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you learn Arabic, the Department of Defense will pay you a huge bonus to sign up as a civilian intelligence worker You'll sit at a computer all day, and translate stuff at an easy pace. You can also enlist in the army, but hold the rank and privilages of an officer.
If you learn Mandarin, you can have a nice career as abusiness translator.
Learn both and you can speak to half the people on earth in their native tongue.
2007-03-18 13:12:59 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Spanish.....is the second most popular language in the States.
2007-03-18 13:08:29 · answer #5 · answered by daljack -a girl 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Spanish, if you live in the U.S.
By the year 2010, nearly 1/3 of the population of the U.S.
will have some Hispanic background. If you want to
get ahead in business, it is good to be bilingual. For
international, I would say Chinese because they are
the fastest growing segment of the economy.
2007-03-18 13:09:06 · answer #6 · answered by jimbo_wizard 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think spanish is the next language , since spanish people are more and more in the United States .
2007-03-18 13:10:30 · answer #7 · answered by kittie22ro 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Spanish.
2007-03-18 13:08:17 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Spanish speakers are growing and if you are in the US, I would choose Spanish as it pays good.
If you are in China, i would defenitely use Mandarin.
Spanish is what I think I would do if I were you. You will have covered basically south of the US, all Latin America, and Spain.
2007-03-18 13:10:17 · answer #9 · answered by Latina_Rica 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One third of the US is of Hispanic origin and rising. Learn Spanish and it will triple your job potential.
2007-03-18 13:09:45 · answer #10 · answered by Karrose 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋