Should I learn Irish or Mandarin?

Question

For various reasons, I have already started both. I can do basic greetings and numbers, and what not. I even used some of my Mandarin in China a few months ago as an independent traveler. But I also really want to learn Irish (I have an opportunity for free courses with a small group of people).
I will probably do both, so my question is more of a "which one should I learn first?"

Answer 1

Irish is not used very much these days. However, if you're Irish you probably have a love for it and a deep desire to learn it. Give it a go. What can you lose?

Mandarin is the language of the largest country in the world which is fast becoming a superpower economically. It will increase in importance as the century progresses.

Basically, it's up to you. I'd go to the Irish language courses. Get a good grasp of the language, then add Mandarin.

Answer 2

Mandarin is easy if you simply want to speak it. The absence of verb tenses and adjectival declination is a great faciliator of the spoken language: you don't have to worry about tiny details, as one does in German. "Das Auto wurde von einem Lastwagen schwer getroffen," literally The Car became of a-em Truck hard hit. The verbs 'became' and 'hit' are in the past tense; no such thing in Mandarin. The definite article 'a' does not exist, so no problem with adjectival endings. Don't let anyone fool you -- remember, lots of people learn it quickly as long as they learn how to speak it, leaving the writing behind. Chinese university students continue to study characters into post-graduate years; it's not something you're going to pick up nearly as easily as you do the spoken language. Good luck!

Answer 3

Learn Mandarish

Answer 4

God love the Irish but the Chinese are a monetary superpower. Unless you have a family connection Mandarin is the way to go

Answer 5

All Irish know English, you don't need to know Irish to get around in Ireland. But you do need to know Mandarin when in China.

Also, China will be next Economy super power, next to US, EU. No matter what kind of business you are in, you will have the edge if you know Chinese.

Answer 6

Irish! I'm gonna learn it too pretty soon. There's a neat Irish Cultural Center in my city that has free lessons.

Answer 7

hmm.........i would say learn mandarin first. its difficult from what i've heard but a lot of people use it more then irish. so i think it might be useful

Answer 8

learn mandarin. It is the international language of tomorrow and blah blah blah. I speak it fluent =]

Answer 9

If you learn Mandarin, call me because I'm planning on learning it too! : - )

Answer 10

If you choose only one to continue with, please stay with learning Gaelic (Irish), it's quickly becoming a dead language, it's really only still used in Northern Ireland now. Good luck with your studies, I wish I had the chance you are being given.