What language to start learning?

BPtoRP · 2015-04-03T14:50:21+00:00

I'm currently learning my third language, French, and I'm surprised no one has mentioned this yet:

Don't expect results. This is the epitome of outcome independence, since you won't be making any kind of perceivable gains even 3 months into the language. You'll learn the first couple of sentences in a conversation and 90% of the time, whatever the person responds with will sound like gibberish to you. If you're outcome dependent, you'll get demotivated real fast but you need to completely give up and not expect to be able to hold a conversation at all and then surprise yourself when you do. Also, if you don't like the language (as in it fascinates you and you can already see situations in your life where you wished you spoke it), your motivation to keep going won't hold up.

However, if you keep going, eventually, after countless moments of "Wow I got this...no haha no I don't", there will come a time when you actually do get most of the grammar and just need to pile up more vocabulary and it's one of the deepest and most magical insights in how the human brain works.

To get to the first moment where you have a solid understanding of the vague patterns of the grammar of the language (don't study grammar, go through trial and error like you learned as a kid), use Pimsleur. Audiobooks you can listen and talk to in the car, in the gym, walking your dog, even on the subway I looked like a lunatic speaking to myself but DGAF. The disadvantage is, they're too boring to sit there and do without another activity. Well worth their cost too (but available in torrents if you want)! Once you get the general jist, start watching movies with English subtitles, you'll start noticing parts you already understand without subtitles and it feels so good.

Once you finish them, get onto reading out loud. At first, have a native next to you cooking or something and read out to them while they correct you, make sure you get all the nuances of turning spelling to pronunciation. Don't stop on the meanings of the words, just learn to read, your brain will notice patterns in what the words mean on its own. Once you can read perfectly, pile up as much vocabulary as possible through learning and using 10 words a day or so.

It's a lot of dedication without results, but the eventual results are one of the most satisfying of all activities. Main advice here: love the language first.

dinkle_berrg · 2015-04-03T12:47:07+00:00

I highly suggest using duolingo. The app as well as the website. For native English speakers they offer Spanish , Portuguese , German, French, Swedish, Dutch, Danish, Irish, and now Turkish. Completing a full language tree beforehand would really give you the edge you need to be at the top of your class in your university course.

My only thing to add is take a language that really interests you. That you have a connection with, perhaps one that just seems fun. Can you picture yourself saying it? For example, if you can't roll your R's, you probably shouldn't take Spanish. (Though if you really want to, then of course, nothing can stop you and I'm sure you'd learn how to do it) And maybe if you don't have the aptitude to roll your R's with your tongue, then you could try French with requires you to roll your R with the back of the palette instead. There's lot of options and I'm sure you'll find something you like.

Edit: don't think about practicality. If you take Spanish to be practical, but you fucking suck at it, then you'll be at an extreme disadvantage in your learning and you'll never satisfy the practical role you had in mind. You'll probably never finish either.

Remember, nothing great was achieved without enthusiasm. If you take German for example, and you love it, but nobody around you seems to speak it, I guarantee you that you'll find a way to apply your new skills. Good luck.

sparta126 · 2015-04-03T13:41:58+00:00

I would suggest mandrin. It may be the hardest, but if you're in business and speak mandrin doors are open for you.

trp-throw · 2015-04-03T13:20:48+00:00

dopefinder · 2015-04-03T13:26:13+00:00

spanish. assimil program. then go to a country for a few months. Look at language statistics and you will get a better idea of choosing a 'power' language.

Johnny10toes · 2015-04-03T13:59:17+00:00

I chose Spanish because it's the 3rd most spoken in the world. I also live in a region where we get an influx of Latinos which made the decision even easier. Not only that the Latin culture is very interesting to me.

AusCro · 2015-04-03T14:12:41+00:00

The language to take is dependent on what you want. If you want to travel in Asia or South America, then Mandarin and Spanish are your go to's. If you want to go by Europe, I'd say German, French or Russian. The former is generally a well known language and the latter would be the easiest to learn. Of course Hindi is good for India, and if you want to go to the Middle East, Arabic covers it. English and French are the best choices for Africa. Overall the best language to learn for the most worldwide access are English, Spanish, Mandarin and Arabic. If you have to pick one, maybe go for French also.

Also, to get to Australia, you need a course in Bogan

contra_nap · 2015-04-03T16:43:27+00:00

Whatever language you decide to learn, get some native podcasts and listen to them like a maniac. I'm able to listen to about 2 hours a day just during lunch and on the commute to and from work. Use that dead time to learn. I speak 3 languages fluently and have used them in their respective countries like a native. Get podcasts and listen to real people speaking your chosen language.

dabayer · 2015-04-03T19:06:06+00:00

For me the most important languages are english, spanish, french, german, russian and mandarin. I'm currently learning spanish and swedish with duolingo, and already learned english and french at school.

Nodeal_reddit · 2015-04-03T15:16:06+00:00

Brazilian Portuguese. Brazil is a rising economy, freaking huge, exotic, cheap to visit, and (reportedly) full of red pill women.

Title	What language to start learning?
Author	Joshlynx
Upvotes	4
Comments	17
Date	April 3, 2015 12:31 PM UTC (11 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/askTRP
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/asktrp/comments/31awws/what_language_to_start_learning/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/askTRP/what-language-to-start-learning.147595 https://theredarchive.com/post/147595

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