While it is annoying that people come to america and dont use english like my great-grandparents had to, I do not think that people should be forced to use english... There is no "offical" US language and that is the way it should stay. people should embrace our diversity...
As for a language, I took French--and I hated it. BUT this was mostly because I hated my teacher. If I could do it all again I would take Italian, or maybe Spanish... French would be cool to know only to impress people (read: women), but I dont really see it as useful unless you are planning to go to France a lot just so you can get around...(They REALLY hate americans)...
I took Latin for two years in elementary school, it was a pain, but I liked it b/c it seemed more structered then french...but as someone said since it is dead you will probably forget it b/c you will never use it, although it would be cool to impress college professors w/latin...
Basically I think you should take Spanish.. it seems like the most practical choice...
I am in no way trying to suggest foreigners should be forced to speak english. They can speak whatever they want. I do however think that if they are going to be legal citizens of this country, they should try to assimilate as much as possible into the american culture. Part of that is learning english. It's just a pain to go to some stores and not be able to talk to employees or ask for help.
I never knew the French hated americans. There's another reason not to take it. I would take spanish, but I firmly believe in doing things differently, and Spanish seems like a language that only deadbeats take because they think it's easy.
I live in France, have studied English, German and Latin.
Latin is definitely helpful, not only to help you understand the workings of a language better, but I've found it also helps in other fields, by providing you a certain rigor and a method.
Now Spanish is definitely something you should consider, being a North American and Spanish is widely used in both Americas.
French has its own merits, like most languages, but I can't recommend it since I'm a native speaker and can't relate to learning it.
German is a pain with all the different cases etc., though definitely a plus in the European world.
If you like Asian chicks. Go take either Cantonese or Mandarin.
Those Asian girls like Japanese (some can speak Mandarian), Korea (some too can speak Mandarian), Hong Kong, Taiwan.....abolutely LOVE the foreign people who can speak their language
Alright, let me point something out. None of the languages offered up there are particularly useful in the white collar business sense. Every Japanese person you'll encounter knows English, and on top of that Japan is very isolationist, so getting set up in Japan isn't easy.
Hell, everyone knows English. Considering that the official language of the EU is English, French and German are pointless endeavours, unless you're culturally motivated.
That leaves you with Spanish, which is also unnecessary in the white collar environment. So I recommend Latin. I took Latin and some Spanish, and I feel the Latin has done a lot more for me than the Spanish.
If you want to learn a language that will help in business, consider the following.
- Russian
- Polish
- Chinese
- Portuguese
Russia, Ukraine, Poland, China, and Brazil are all major emerging markets where many of the educated residents are not fluent with English. Argentina will be socialist for the next decade or so, so forget about doing business there. None of the other South American markets save Brazil are ready for intense American business.
I read yesterday that the reason the English used to have such terrible teeth is because there was no fluoride in the water...
(Spanish rules!)</strong><hr></blockquote>
Way to go with the non-sequiturs! <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" /> I don't know if it was fluoride in toothpaste or fluoride in water that made the difference, but I think every country used to have terrible teeth before fluoride was introduced. The gleaming, pearly-white all-American smile thing is more to do with the standard inclusion of baking soda in US toothpaste brands - and a greater interest in cosmetic surgery...
Comments
As for a language, I took French--and I hated it. BUT this was mostly because I hated my teacher. If I could do it all again I would take Italian, or maybe Spanish... French would be cool to know only to impress people (read: women), but I dont really see it as useful unless you are planning to go to France a lot just so you can get around...(They REALLY hate americans)...
I took Latin for two years in elementary school, it was a pain, but I liked it b/c it seemed more structered then french...but as someone said since it is dead you will probably forget it b/c you will never use it, although it would be cool to impress college professors w/latin...
Basically I think you should take Spanish.. it seems like the most practical choice...
-Paul
I never knew the French hated americans. There's another reason not to take it. I would take spanish, but I firmly believe in doing things differently, and Spanish seems like a language that only deadbeats take because they think it's easy.
<strong>I
I never knew the French hated americans. .</strong><hr></blockquote>
me too.
I live in France, have studied English, German and Latin.
Latin is definitely helpful, not only to help you understand the workings of a language better, but I've found it also helps in other fields, by providing you a certain rigor and a method.
Now Spanish is definitely something you should consider, being a North American and Spanish is widely used in both Americas.
French has its own merits, like most languages, but I can't recommend it since I'm a native speaker and can't relate to learning it.
German is a pain with all the different cases etc., though definitely a plus in the European world.
Those Asian girls like Japanese (some can speak Mandarian), Korea (some too can speak Mandarian), Hong Kong, Taiwan.....abolutely LOVE the foreign people who can speak their language
[ 02-24-2002: Message edited by: Leonis ]</p>
<strong>yeah me neither. I've real we eat frog legs too. oh and all Americans are fat.
Yes i eat frogs yesterday. Delicious ..., taste of chicken but more delicate.
You aren't allowed to enter France without a black beret and a white shirt with black stripes.
You also have to grow a thin mustache and avoid bathing for 5-6 days before they allow you to stroll around in public.
</pokes SYN with stick>
I read yesterday that the reason the English used to have such terrible teeth is because there was no fluoride in the water...
(Spanish rules!)
<strong><pokes SYN with stick>
You aren't allowed to enter France without a black beret and a white shirt with black stripes.
You also have to grow a thin mustache and avoid bathing for 5-6 days before they allow you to stroll around in public.
(Spanish rules!)</strong><hr></blockquote>
Why a thin mustache, i prefer a mustache like Salvatore Dali.
i only take showels
I did not wear any black beret, i just use to wear red ones when i was doing my military service. I am a reserve officer, i am captain .
[ 02-25-2002: Message edited by: powerdoc ]</p>
Hell, everyone knows English. Considering that the official language of the EU is English, French and German are pointless endeavours, unless you're culturally motivated.
That leaves you with Spanish, which is also unnecessary in the white collar environment. So I recommend Latin. I took Latin and some Spanish, and I feel the Latin has done a lot more for me than the Spanish.
If you want to learn a language that will help in business, consider the following.
- Russian
- Polish
- Chinese
- Portuguese
Russia, Ukraine, Poland, China, and Brazil are all major emerging markets where many of the educated residents are not fluent with English. Argentina will be socialist for the next decade or so, so forget about doing business there. None of the other South American markets save Brazil are ready for intense American business.
[ 02-25-2002: Message edited by: Splinemodel ]</p>
<strong><pokes SYN with stick>
I read yesterday that the reason the English used to have such terrible teeth is because there was no fluoride in the water...
(Spanish rules!)</strong><hr></blockquote>
Way to go with the non-sequiturs! <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" /> I don't know if it was fluoride in toothpaste or fluoride in water that made the difference, but I think every country used to have terrible teeth before fluoride was introduced. The gleaming, pearly-white all-American smile thing is more to do with the standard inclusion of baking soda in US toothpaste brands - and a greater interest in cosmetic surgery...