So I want to learn a third language, but I am at a loss as to which language I want to learn. This has been a recurring thing throughout my life. I attempt to learn a foreign language, and inevitably I stop doing it.

Here is a list of all the languages I have attemped

Japanese
French
Gaelic
Russian
Norwegian
Swedish
Italian
Latin
Arabic


There are probably more that have slipped my mind.

Anyways, I really do want to learn.

So here is where you come in:

Suggest a language, but you have to give a me a GOOD reason why I should learn it.

What is your second language?

A couple of extremely obvious suggestions, but here goes:

Greek - for reading the New Testament and learning about translational and textual-critical issues)

Hebrew - for reading the Old testament in its original language.

I'm hoping to try Hebrew at some point, but I'm absolutely loving learning Greek. It's given me a real appreciation of the work that translators have done through the ages as well as the difficulties they face in rendering words, ideas, and concepts accurately into modern English. If you attempted it, we could always get an online study thing going

Ash,

Spanish. I am part mexican.

Mandarin. It is the most spoken language in the world and is still the fastest growing. With the Chinese market about to really open to the West, having a workable knowledge of Mandarin can only be a plus.

Pragmatism is not a good means of choosing a language to learn. I say choose one that you find pleasure in.

Kamerad Ash wrote:

Pragmatism is not a good means of choosing a language to learn. I say choose one that you find pleasure in.

I do not want to derail this thread, but why isn't finding a worthwhile and practical reason to learn something, like a language, not a good idea? I agree that holding to a pragmatic outlook in many aspects of life is not a wise idea, but in choosing a discipline such as learning a new language as in this case, I cannot see your point of view of it not being a "good means"? And could not someone find pleasure in knowing their pursuits would have a consequence in a real tangible way? Maybe I just do not understand what your trying to say.

trephining wrote:

Kamerad Ash wrote:

Pragmatism is not a good means of choosing a language to learn. I say choose one that you find pleasure in.

I do not want to derail this thread, but why isn't finding a worthwhile and practical reason to learn something, like a language, not a good idea? I agree that holding to a pragmatic outlook in many aspects of life is not a wise idea, but in choosing a discipline such as learning a new language as in this case, I cannot see your point of view of it not being a "good means"? And could not someone find pleasure in knowing their pursuits would have a consequence in a real tangible way? Maybe I just do not understand what your trying to say.

It should be your primary reason for learning a language. If I wanted to learn Russian, then either a) I have no life, or b) I idolize knowledge, because I have next to no use for that language.

German, French, Greek, and Hebrew though....I have valid reasons for these. Seminary, at least the Masters of Divinity, requires the knowledge of the last two, which I will learn in class, and the Biblical Studies Doctorate requires mastery of all four, plus possibly two more that I will learn while in the program.

Hebrew is fun!

Esperanto... the dead language.

Finnish . . . because it's soooo br00tal!!!

Actually Bryan, Russian is a very useful language. I am very attracted to the slavic languages.

Also I love the nordic languages, but it is next to useless to learn because a) they are barely used outside of scandinavia and b) they all pretty much speak english anyway.

I agree and disagree Ash. Yes it shouldn't be for purely pragmatic reasons, but I do think a mixture of both pleasurable and pragmatic reasons is a good reason to learn another language.

Learn Latin. It's one of the most useful language to learn. A lot of languages rooted from Latin.

exodus312 wrote:

Esperanto... the dead language.

I saw a film with Captain Kirk speaking Esperanto. Very interesting.

But yeah, right now I'm trying to learn Norwegian, because for some reason I find it moderately easy to figure out, depending on the matter. And I'm trying to learn French because my wife speaks it.

I'd say pick whatever you feel connected to, and whatever would be useful.

anyone know any other languages?
tht they can teach?

ELAN wrote:

exodus312 wrote:

Esperanto... the dead language.

I saw a film with Captain Kirk speaking Esperanto. Very interesting.

But yeah, right now I'm trying to learn Norwegian, because for some reason I find it moderately easy to figure out, depending on the matter. And I'm trying to learn French because my wife speaks it.

I'd say pick whatever you feel connected to, and whatever would be useful.

I could not find any material on norwegian anywhere. So I did swedish instead. And then Rosetta stone changed formats and I did not feel like starting ALL OVER again. That and I became to busy with school and ended up being derailed, so there you have it.

I do find swedish to be an easy language.

What do you use for Norwegian?

Jim, I know spanish. I could always help you with that

I'm fluent in English(duh), ASL, Latin, and I know some Irish(gaelige)

I tried irish as well. Lol, their way of spelling is confusing, to say the least.

nah spanish is boring! lmao

lol, I agree. But I grew up speaking it, so I don't have to worry about going through the learning process with it.

hahah ok!

was learning japanese a while ago, but im too lazy!

I grew up in Japan and I still don't know Japanese. The shame!

I would like to go back, so it would behoove me to learn it.

I really do need to learn Irish as well. Here I am proud of my Celtic descent and I don't even speak the language very well...

I'm a pseudo-Celt. :'-(

p0seur!!!