What to study: Arabic, French or Japanese?

Question

In September I am starting to study International Relations at university and have to choose which language to study. I already speak English, German and Russian and don't know which next language would be the best for me: Arabic, French or Japanese. Please advice.
Thanks.

Answer 1

Um, you might want to provide a little more information on your background and what you plan to do in the future... It's kind of hard for complete strangers to decide which language you should learn next without any information on how you might be using it... You might want to work on your English a little more first, though...

Japanese is a pretty fun language, and it's helpful if you plan on doing anything that's game or animation related.

Answer 2

Years ago, I would have said French; it was the language of diplomacy. Today, however, between the three European languages you already have, French would not really give you any benefits. I think that the decision between Japanese & Arabic lies with your future plans. If you see a future in high tech or financial relations, Japanese might be more beneficial. Many, if not most, Japanese people these days, however, know English.



If your interest is international diplomacy or policy, Arabic might be more useful. There are not all that many English speakers in the Muslim world as compared to Japan, AND any Muslim country, regardless of native language, has many Arabic speakers as Arabic is the original language of the Koran. Muslims believe that the Koran is only authentic in the original Arabic, so it is widely studied in over a third of the world. It would also be more useful than Japanese if you were interested in humanitarian work for that reason.

Answer 3

I am also good in languages and if you are good at French, Italian and Spanish will not be that hard, so if you want a challenge, I'd say Arabic or Japanese would be good if you want to work in trade/business. I did Arabic and the grammar is something else but I loved learning making those sounds. You can talk to Arabic people a lot easier because they see you trying their language. Think of what you would want to do. If you never plan to go to Japan and you hate the food, why bother with the language? Greek would be good but I'd say: go for Latin. it is a base for many languages (as is Arabic!!) Have fun choosing! Maybe try youtube to see how you like the cultures and then choose?

Answer 4

Wow! you already are a scholar! If you think your life has a direction Gulf-ward, towards the Arabic speaking region, learn Arabic; very useful practically! In International relations, French and Japanese are important: with your proficiency in English, French will be easy to learn. And, with Russian already in your repertoire, Japanese will not be difficult either (the discipline in Russian grammar makes the study of some other languages easy as follow-ups!). You are okay with two European languages already, so, why not Japanese as the next one, and then French in good time! (Arabic a capsule course, for a hobby!). Good luck!

Answer 5

Arabic of course
there are 22 countries speak arabic
you will learn a new type of letters ,it may need some time to know how to draw letters but it will help if you have intention to learn another language such as persian as both persian and arabic are written using the same type of letter,plus afghni ,kurdish, and some other countries


donot forget ,the basis of events in the whole world is the middle east which speaks arabic,you may get a good chance to join the diplomatic relations

Answer 6

Each language of what you have mentioned has its own unique thing. But I would go for Arabic. Arabic is a language where it has a unique alphabet. You will learn how to write from left to right, and you will learn many interesting things about it. It is the only language where one word can mean many things just by changing the signs above and under the letters For example? The below word means three things:

حب

How can you distinguish what it means? By putting signs on it. For example:

حَب = seeds

حِب = water container

حُب = love

You see how one word has three different meanings by just adding these little signs. It might seem difficult, but once you start learning it, it will get easy. Good luck

Answer 7

I think French because this a good to study International Relations at university and I think theres a many schools in the Europe countries.

Answer 8

Arabic of course is the best and many country now speaks arabic like all the middle east and some other countries...

Answer 9

Arabic great language

Answer 10

Go with Arabic first . then French and Japanese .

Good luck!!!