Obviously, languages like Japanese, Chinese, Arabic - all very useful for certain sectors of the business world. But... I don't think many companies would want to send a woman to an Arab country for business dealings.

I am wanting to try my hand at another language next semester and am not sure what to consider besides Spanish. I'm considering Chinese, as we have a new program teaching it at my school - but I kind of had to pause and think about what my interaction with other cultures may be like and how different it would be as a woman.

Japanese is out because I don't want to be the girl with a penis in a classroom full of guys who beat off to hentai.

Quote from: Autumn on November 14, 2009, 10:35:36 PM
Obviously, languages like Japanese, Chinese, Arabic - all very useful for certain sectors of the business world. But... I don't think many companies would want to send a woman to an Arab country for business dealings.

I am wanting to try my hand at another language next semester and am not sure what to consider besides Spanish. I'm considering Chinese, as we have a new program teaching it at my school - but I kind of had to pause and think about what my interaction with other cultures may be like and how different it would be as a woman.

Japanese is out because I don't want to be the girl with a penis in a classroom full of guys who beat off to hentai.

If you are not partial to another language in particular, Chinease is a gimme. They're the fastest growing across the board. India is a close 2'nd(I think).

If I had that choice, I'd certainly pick Chinese.  I think it will be a useful language to know in the not-too-distant future.

If you come to the West Coast you might want to consider Spanish, as it is getting to the point that everywhere you look things a printed in both English and Spanish.


Janet

ANY Western language is going to be easier to learn than an Asian one if you speak/write/read a Western language now.  The difference is huge!  And, any of the 'romance languages' (meaning those who share Latin as a common root) are going to be the easiest for native English Speakers to learn.  Spanish and French the most common, though I know a few people who do the Italian deal and rock it too.  I always liked French, it just sounds pretty, but I do a good Spanglish living in Cali too.

Quote from: Janet Lynn on November 15, 2009, 01:37:35 PM
If you come to the West Coast you might want to consider Spanish, as it is getting to the point that everywhere you look things a printed in both English and Spanish.


Janet

I concur.

However I took German haha but that's because I wanted to do school abroad once and I did in high school for a summer which was lots of fun.  Now of course, my German isn't that useful and I wish I'd rather took Spanish lol.  I may try to learn it still someday, I don't know.

Quote from: tekla on November 15, 2009, 01:54:59 PM
ANY Western language is going to be easier to learn than an Asian one if you speak/write/read a Western language now.  The difference is huge!  And, any of the 'romance languages' (meaning those who share Latin as a common root) are going to be the easiest for native English Speakers to learn.  Spanish and French the most common, though I know a few people who do the Italian deal and rock it too.  I always liked French, it just sounds pretty, but I do a good Spanglish living in Cali too.

French is a bit tricky, but I like it.

I hear Korean is the easiest out of all the Asian languages because it's setup more like our alphabet.

French is kinda gay, so is the opera and ballet.  Real guys learn German so they can sing The Horst Wessel Song in the original.

Quote from: tekla on November 15, 2009, 05:10:25 PM
Real guys learn German

Can't be done.  But I admit it is a beautiful language when spoken correctly.  The difficulty is the full envelopment of the language at a higher degree. 

Dutch is down right stupid.  If these people formed dialects it would be all over.  And they speak English.  Good luck finding a school though.  (never got there, Holland or Dutchland).


Asian languages I don't know much about.  You could get a rough Vietnamese for about a $1.50 a day.  In and out.  But then Japaneses...I was to have Thanksgive Diner with a large man the Japanese where f'n in the ass.
It is worse. 

Climate necessities.  Humidity.  I have the most proficient humidifier in my room.  It is important.  You like sun?  You like hot rain?