Foreign Languages for Concept Artists

[Wiggles]

I'm going to be entering college this fall and I am wondering what foreign language(s) I should learn to assist my future in the concept art industry.
I am confident it is not necessary to learn a language besides English since it is so widely used for business. Nevertheless, I believe understanding a foreign language might improve my cohesiveness in working with others who speak the same foreign language. Besides, I have always wanted to become multi-lingual!

So tell me, what language(s) do you find useful with your work?

What language(s) do you suggest I take?

Thanks!

-Wiggs

[LostFayth]

I think English would be sufficient enough. Since you already mastered that language it's time to take it a step further. Since the two largest populations on the world live in India and China I would suggest Hindi or Mandarin. But those two languages are quite difficult...

On a more serious approach why not try an European language? German, French or Spanish. I mean, there are a lot of people in different countries that speak French and a big part of South America speaks Spanish....so why not look at it like that? ;)

[spaztastic]

I vote Japanese, Japan is one of the largest growing industries in concept art and gaming. Not to mention it's a pretty sweet language to learn. but that's just me. I would also suggest that you pick up french, German, and maybe even mandarin. but mandarin is hella hard to learn... with all those tonal inflects *shivers*

[Wiggles]

I think English would be sufficient enough. Since you already mastered that language it's time to take it a step further. Since the two largest populations on the world live in India and China I would suggest Hindi or Mandarin. But those two languages are quite difficult...

On a more serious approach why not try an European language? German, French or Spanish. I mean, there are a lot of people in different countries that speak French and a big part of South America speaks Spanish....so why not look at it like that? ;)

I was considering learning Spanish first since I live in the South (meaning many people in the work force already speak it) and many of my friends are fluent. Then I was considering learning French since many of the artists I have encountered face to face are fluent in French (also several members of my family speak French). Learning German would be fun but I have seen more usefulness in other European languages. As far as Mandarin and Hindi go I'd go with Mandarin; it would be the more beneficial of the two. Wouldn't be a bad idea to begin learning Mandarin just because it is such a largely spoken language.


I vote Japanese, Japan is one of the largest growing industries in concept art and gaming. Not to mention it's a pretty sweet language to learn. but that's just me. I would also suggest that you pick up french, German, and maybe even mandarin. but mandarin is hella hard to learn... with all those tonal inflects *shivers*

YES!! I wasn't very confident in learning Japanese because I did not know how useful it would be. I'm still a little bit uncertain though; just because it's the fastest growing doesn't mean it's the biggest. :P BUT! I will agree it is a pretty sweet language. If I were to learn a language for pleasure it would be either Japanese or Hebrew. :)

Do you know Japanese spaztastic?





I know there are also a lot of Russian and Korean speaking artists. Any thoughts?

-Wiggs

[spaztastic]

wiggs, just because Japan isn't the biggest country YET doesn't mean it doesn't get most of the business :P and yes I kinda speak Japanese I am very rusty but plan on learning it again. I have all the materials i need, now I just need the time and patience. I also know some Latin, and plan on learning either, french, Italian, Hebrew, Greek, or Aramaic.

[arttorney]

There are only four tones in spoken Mandarin. I didn't think it was any harder than rembering stuff like whether the brakes on my car, or the clock on the wall are male or female (romance languages).

Written Mandarin requires several years of rote memorization, though.

[GriNGo]

English is more than enough to be honest. Unless your planning to move or something. For you I would go the easy route - learn spanish, since they are the closest different-language neighbors you have.

[TASmith]

As China changes from producer to consumer, it'll be the biggest new market for everything.

[spaztastic]

TASmith: bah humbug... everyone knows that India is gonna be bigger than china and eventually rule them.... and it doesn't matter anyway cause Japan is gonna rule the world after 2020... so Wiggles just make sure to learn some Japanese XD

[Marlee.]

I don't know exactly how important it is to be bilingual in the concept art industry.. but, if you're considering, Iwould suggest Mandarin. I'm a few years into learning it now, in highschool, and it really isn't as hard as most people think. It would probably be useful considering the amount of people in the world that speak it, even if Japan may have a more promising entertainment industry..

[biglu]

Learning Mandarin or maybe Wu Chinese and visiting Shanghai is probably the best idea.

I agree with TASmith but China may produce something huge like the Japanese, you never know. I read that they're the fastest-growing consumer of video games, specifically the online RPG like WoW & EverQuest. Naturally they are trying hard to lure that ginormous purchasing power back away from foriegn companies and gain control of it with their own stuff.

[Wiggles]

wiggs, just because Japan isn't the biggest country YET doesn't mean it doesn't get most of the business :P and yes I kinda speak Japanese I am very rusty but plan on learning it again. I have all the materials i need, now I just need the time and patience. I also know some Latin, and plan on learning either, french, Italian, Hebrew, Greek, or Aramaic.

Haha, oh whatevs spaztastic. :)

Very cool!! I know some Latin and Greek myself and I can recite a multitude of different fish, shellfish and crustaceans and some phrases in Japanese. :)


I don't know exactly how important it is to be bilingual in the concept art industry.. but, if you're considering, Iwould suggest Mandarin. I'm a few years into learning it now, in highschool, and it really isn't as hard as most people think. It would probably be useful considering the amount of people in the world that speak it, even if Japan may have a more promising entertainment industry..

How long have you been taking classes? I'm curious to know your progress over the time you've been taking the classes.



So far there's a lot of support for learning Chinese and not a whole for anything else. I still have a couple of months before I make my final decision so I'm in no rush.


I'm projecting the future of my foreign language studies and I've run into a dilemma: how long does it take to learn a language. Everyone learns at their own pace and everyone learns differently. My thoughts are it will take at least 2 years to understand the basics of a language and 3 years to become a novice.

Can anyone tell me from their experiences in learning a language how long it took them to learn a language to a certain point?

-Wiggs

[spaztastic]

Hey wiggs, it took me 4 years to learn Japanese however I did a majority of my learning in about 6 months with a friend of mine who is from Japan. I actually learned more from her than anything. I however tend to learn fastest through immersion as my brain has been hardwired that way since I was like 2 and lived in Germany, where I picked up quite a bit and knew how to speak by the time we left when I was 5.... however since I never had a chance to speak German in the states as most 5 and 6 year old Americans don't know it, all I remember now are the most important words..... the bad ones XD

[Wiggles]

Hey wiggs, it took me 4 years to learn Japanese however I did a majority of my learning in about 6 months with a friend of mine who is from Japan. I actually learned more from her than anything. I however tend to learn fastest through immersion as my brain has been hardwired that way since I was like 2 and lived in Germany, where I picked up quite a bit and knew how to speak by the time we left when I was 5.... however since I never had a chance to speak German in the states as most 5 and 6 year old Americans don't know it, all I remember now are the most important words..... the bad ones XD


Neato! That's pretty sweet that you picked up on Japanese so quickly. Sad how you don't remember all of German but at least you remember the best parts, eh? :P

I'm actually going to be learning through Rosetta Stone. I've heard fabulous things about it and I'm willing to invest in learning my first second language from them. As to how I'm supposed to keep speaking Chinese I know of a website that offers interactive-online conversations with people who are fluent in whatever language you wish to speak. Y'all ought to check it out! :)

http://www.livemocha.com/

-Wiggs

[Falchion]

Recommend Mandarin Chinese only if they're teaching traditional characters.

[ikken]

I'm going to learn French next (read: Ubisooooft)

[nofu]

Chinese is one of the hardest languages to learn. One thing is knowing the vocab and grammar but another thing entirely is understanding actual chinese when spoken. Learning chinese is a very long process that needs a lot of commitment. I'd actually suggest Spanish or French instead, both quite widespread, too, and a lot of people speak these languages as their second language. Since you're American, probably Spanish would be more useful.

[Stark]

I'm not a professional, but I took it upon myself to learn Japanese and German. Really don't want to learn Spanish or Chinese, but I'll probably pick up Chinese and Latin later in life.

Japanese is pretty easy to learn, speaking. The hard part is reading and writing their languages as they have anywhere between 4-5,000 characters to learn before they can read the local paper. You'll have to learn Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji. Not to mention Romanji which is the english looking words: Watashi wa nihongo ga hanashimas ka. :P

[spaztastic]

Rosetta Stone is pretty awesome I will say. And Stark you are oh so right about the amount wordage one must learn before they can read the daily's blech... I was doing good until laziness overcame me after I graduated hs...

[Wiggles]

I'm pretty much decided on taking Chinese and then Japanese. Though I'm sure it will not be necessary to speak either for business (yet) but I'm sure it will come in handy.

Also, I have been told Chinese and Japanese are related to one another like French is to Italian. Is this true? I know the Romance Languages - French, Italian, Spanish, English and Romanian - are all related thanks to Latin. Are some Asian languages related by a common root this as well?

Thanks!

-Wiggs

[spaztastic]

Hey Wiggs in a distant way Japanese is related to Chinese, Cantonese not mandarin. Although they do use Kanji which is Chinese script. I suppose once you understand the basics of Mandarin and Cantonese you will understand the basics of Japanese... I have a theory that Hebrew, Greek, Aramaic, and Latin are the stems of most modern language, so if you learn those you should be able to understand the base concept of almost all languages. I am not sure where anglo saxon stems from but it would be fun to find out. Oh learning Latin Helped to pick up Japanese faster, so that might be thought for you. either way you will have fun learning a whole new language. Just be sure to practice it daily or you will forget.....

[Wiggles]

Haha, so what you are telling me spaz is that Japanese and Chinese are related fundamentally but not all throughout.

Knowing Latin will help me learn Japanese? Are the changes in the words similar when changing the parts of speech? I took Latin for my foreign language my first two years in high school (and would have continued all the way through if I did not have to devote so much of my time to math since I'm so terrible at it).

I'm interested to see how Hebrew and Aramaic play into other languages, most especially Hebrew!! One day far far in the future I will learn Hebrew. I love the culture and I love the language. I plan on visiting Israel one day so long that it is still on the face of the planet.

And no matter what language I learn I have family, friends and livemocha.com; I am sure I will never be at a loss of someone to talk to. :)

-Wiggs

[Ian Barker]

Rosetta Stone is pretty awesome I will say.
I would really like to get this for Japanese. Learning the language is not essential, but it would still be a really cool accomplishment, and considering Japanese is a huge force in game design it could easily have some benefit down the road.

[spaztastic]

Hey Wiggs, I think Aramaic would be more helpful base wise than Latin, but Latin is spoken similarly to Japanese grammatically wise. Aramaic and Arabic are written similarly to Japanese, Hebrew is kinda the base for most languages I think most Germanic ones anyway, and Aramaic and Egyptian is for most Asian ones. Basically if you start learning any language it will help with others because of the part of the brain used to learn it. kinda like learning basic math helps get you to more advanced math once you understand the concept. as well as how chess helps with logic and strategies, and math helps with music. like that, anyway I am done bloviating* .

[spaztastic]

Liffey Rosetta stone is awesome, and well worth the price. If you can get an educational discount do, because it takes off quite a chunk.

[GriNGo]

Uh, I'll be really honest here. I don't get why you people want to learn Chinese. I know it's the biggest economy and growing and whatnot, BUT, the only real people who would need to learn the languague are the ones who translate games, and everyone else, doesn't have an excuse to lose time in this type of thing. You don't intend on even going to China, so why bother?

[Wiggles]

Uh, I'll be really honest here. I don't get why you people want to learn Chinese. I know it's the biggest economy and growing and whatnot, BUT, the only real people who would need to learn the languague are the ones who translate games, and everyone else, doesn't have an excuse to lose time in this type of thing. You don't intend on even going to China, so why bother?



Your post epitomizes the exact reason why I created this thread. What better way to discover the importance of learning a foreign language than through the eyes of those in the art industry? I pose the question simply because I don't know the answer myself.



Let me ask you: don't you think it would be beneficial to you if you could freelance for folks who don't speak your language? Since China will most likely be expanding its economy I would expect more job opportunities to start popping up for people who can understand Chinese. Same goes to Japan and their economy. And even if their markets don't expand I am sure knowing either would increase job opportunities both in the corporate world and freelance, yes?



On side note, I am not trying to get people to learn Chinese. I want people to post their opinions on what language(s) they want to learn and why and vis versa with languages they don't endorse.



Why learn Chinese? Because it would be fun!! And who knows, I might want to travel to China one day. I never throw away an idea because it occurs inconceivable. :P



-Wiggs

[GriNGo]

Answer to your question. You have a point about the freelancing, but you forget to note that almost everybody in the world is already busting their asses off trying to learn english. I'm pretty sure if someone contacts you, or if someone posts a job online in search of talented foreigners (even if the job is in China,Japan), the offer/contact/interview will be in English. Now if you plan on moving to these countries, then everything changes... but if you intend to just travel for tourism, then I would rather waste my time developing my art skills. When your an adult, its tough to learn new languages. Anyways, good luck on whatever decision you take.

[nofu]

Answer to your question. You have a point about the freelancing, but you forget to note that almost everybody in the world is already busting their asses off trying to learn english. I'm pretty sure if someone contacts you, or if someone posts a job online in search of talented foreigners (even if the job is in China,Japan), the offer/contact/interview will be in English. Now if you plan on moving to these countries, then everything changes... but if you intend to just travel for tourism, then I would rather waste my time developing my art skills. When your an adult, its tough to learn new languages. Anyways, good luck on whatever decision you take.
WOW. Do all people who speak English natively think like this? That learning another language is pointless and a waste of time because everyone speaks English anyway?

[spaztastic]

Sticks actually if every American thought that way we would all pick up spanish...

[Twan]

everyone should learn a foreign language ( even the president Obama says it), it is not useless at all. I'm fed up with all these english too lazy, not everybody can speak english
I don't which language you should learn, spanish french, japanese and chinese are the most usefull I guess ( spanish would be th easiest to learn)

[tobbA]

Language is fun. You don't need a reason to learn it. Knowing Chinese would be awesome. You'd suddenly be able to acces an entire new part of the internet... Besides you can use it to show off in front of people and impress girls. :)

[spaztastic]

Tobba don't forget insulting people ;) I love knowing the bad words for that reason, cause I can look at them smile and still be cussing... but be cute while I do it... they never know :devil:

[Wiggles]

Answer to your question. You have a point about the freelancing, but you forget to note that almost everybody in the world is already busting their asses off trying to learn english. I'm pretty sure if someone contacts you, or if someone posts a job online in search of talented foreigners (even if the job is in China,Japan), the offer/contact/interview will be in English. Now if you plan on moving to these countries, then everything changes... but if you intend to just travel for tourism, then I would rather waste my time developing my art skills. When your an adult, its tough to learn new languages. Anyways, good luck on whatever decision you take.



I agree with a lot of what you have said BUT I still believe it would be in my best interest to learn at least one more language. I don't plan on living off of freelance work when I get out of college but if I do end up without a corporate job and if knowing multiple languages will improve my chances of work then what do I have to loose?



Thanks GriNGo, I hope whatever I learn turns out to be beneficial! :)



-Wiggs

[spaztastic]

Wiggs, learn a language, any language. it will only be beneficial.

[Wiggles]

Wiggs, learn a language, any language. it will only be beneficial.



I think I will take you up on that offer.



From what I've learned from CA and talking to some of my peeps in the corporate world knowing a second language won't improve anyone's chances of being hired by any detectable degree (unless if you are looking for a job in another country where English is not one of the dominate languages spoken).



No puedo esperar para empezar a aprender español!!

それとも、日本語を初めて学ぶ？

אולי אלמד במקום עברית!


:)



-Wiggs

[GriNGo]

vamos Wiggles, vamos bien con ese español, dale, es un lindo idioma :)

[spaztastic]

Hay GriNgo..... my name aint dale :P and I anit no Idioma.... no habenerio espanyella.

but Parle vous francis?
Or sprekenztea deautch* Lord my spelling and grammar is horrid!!!!

Hanasu ka nihongo

[nofu]

Or sprekenztea deautch* Lord my spelling and grammar is horrid!!!!


Hahaahaha! Thanks for the laugh and no, I don't mean anything mean by it, brightened up my day a bit.

[spaztastic]

Hey Sticks I know you weren't being me by saying that, I was just showing everyone my mad skillz at Language adaption ;)

You are actually right though... Most Americans don't put effort into learning other languages once out of High school. which is sad.

[6 Sided]

I'm currently learning Japanese since I want to work in the concept art business for gaming. I was talking to a game design professor at my college and she said Korean is good to learn right now. They're emerging and growing pretty rapidly and many new companies are opening in Korea, and older companies are opening Korean branches. I hear that Korean is very hard to learn right off the bat. Some people I know said that knowing Japanese made Korean much easier because the grammatical structure is similar.

[AsaB]

but Parle vous francis?
Or sprekenztea deautch* Lord my spelling and grammar is horrid!!!!
Parlez-vous français?
Sprechen Sie Deutsch?
:)

Just adding in my two cents about language learning, but I think the experience of studying a foreign language is invaluable. Even though it won't be directly useful (i.e. using it on the job), it's something that widens your horizons and gives you an insight into a different culture. So if you want to study a new language, go for it! And not just because it'd be beneficial for your career (that's just a nice plus), do it for yourself. I'm currently studying my 6th foreign language (German) and it's so much fun and rewarding.

I've also heard for quite a while that Mandarin Chinese will very soon be important to know, as China is expanding at a fast rate. But if you want to tackle something a little more closer to English, I'd definitely recommend German! It's so logical! If you like Math, you'll like German, I guarantee it ;) (But if not, it'll be fun too, haha.)

[spaztastic]

Hey AsaB thank you!!!! It has been forever since I have even spoken German... last time I was 5 and lived in Germany... when I moved to the states I wasn't able to practice anymore... apparently most American kids don't speak anything else but English :(

[nofu]

Hey Sticks I know you weren't being me by saying that, I was just showing everyone my mad skillz at Language adaption ;)

You are actually right though... Most Americans don't put effort into learning other languages once out of High school. which is sad.
I don't think it's just Americans though, neither do most people here unless it's part of their uni curriculum. But then again most schools have three foreign languages as a part of their curriculum already.

[AsaB]

Hey AsaB thank you!!!! It has been forever since I have even spoken German... last time I was 5 and lived in Germany... when I moved to the states I wasn't able to practice anymore... apparently most American kids don't speak anything else but English :(
You lived in Germany? How awesome! Then I'm sure it'd take no time for you to get your German back, it's all somewhere hidden in your head :)

How is the curriculum in USA, is there no second language requirements in your grammar schools? Maybe French for those up north and Spanish near the south? Or does it differ a lot between states, perhaps?

[spaztastic]

Hey Sticks and AsaB Most American schools only require you to learn Spanish, I went to a private academy, and I had my choice of any language. But the public schools I was thinking about going to only offered Spanish so I was kinda pissed at them... not that I don't like Spanish but I was pissed at the fact they had gotten rid of the other languages and replaced it solely with Spanish for political correctness. So I went with a persnickety private school and loved every minuet of it. That school also let me do distance learning so I got to stay home, and go to a community college to supplement my credits... :D which was sweet!

And AsaB yeah I keep thinking I should pick up German before I try Latin again or Japanese, although Spoken Latin is fairly easy to learn.

And I should have clarified, I left Germany when I was 5 but having lived there for three years (especially those most pertinent to language development) and having gone to their schools I learned how to speak it fairly fast, the old timers would always joke with me about it. Cause I would butt in and they didn't think an American tot knew German....

[Wiggles]

You lived in Germany? How awesome! Then I'm sure it'd take no time for you to get your German back, it's all somewhere hidden in your head :)

How is the curriculum in USA, is there no second language requirements in your grammar schools? Maybe French for those up north and Spanish near the south? Or does it differ a lot between states, perhaps?

I'm willing to bet it differs from state to state as to what is taught and when.

For me, I live in the South and attended all public schools. From Kindergarten through 5th Spanish was taught but not rigorously enough for anyone to absorb the basics. In 6th-8th a language is not required but Spanish and French are offered. I took a year of French but don't recall anything. In 9th-12th Spanish, French, German and Latin are offered are my school. Down the road the is a community college where students can take Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, German, French and Latin. I took Latin for two years and picked up on some Greek in my etymology studies. Latin should be mandatory in my opinion since it is so useful in understanding all of the Romance Languages!!

I regret not taking the opprotunity to at least attempt to learn Spanish in middle school. Oh well!

All I can do is act on it now! :P




-Wiggs

[spaztastic]

Yeah I lived in Cali during my middle school and High school years. and lets just say there public school system is a little wonky especially where I lived... O.O metal detectors and all..... I don't have a fond likeness for any public schools simply because of cali... although I hear the ones here in Wyoming are excellent, I am still to much of a cynical putz o put my kidz in them, unless I can get a job teaching art at the school he attends or something.

[AsaB]

Spaz - How lucky for you, going to a private academy sounds super sweet. It's a shame most schools seem to emphasize solely on Spanish. Not that it doesn't make sense, with the huge Spanish communities down south, but I'd somehow find it more rational to have either French or German as a main second language, as the USA nation is historically more related to these languages and their cultures.

Oh, and Spoken Latin? How does that work? :) In my Latin studies there was no emphasis on speech (only correct pronunciation), so you got me curious!

Wiggles - I's a pity the emphasis on languages isn't that big in USA. Although I'm sure, like you said, it's very different between states. It's awesome you got to choose from these interesting languages in community college! Juicy :D And etymology classes too? Sweet! I adore etymology. I studied Latin and Ancient Greek for 3 years myself and I agree, at least Latin should be mandatory for all. It helped my French a lot, and it's even helping me tons now in my German studies. But since you know some Latin, picking up Spanish shouldn't be too difficult! It seems like you have a prime base for studying Spanish, do by all means go for it :) So have you decided to go for Spanish, or what?

[spaztastic]

Yeah the private academy was awesome. And spoken Latin as in conversational Latin, I used Rosetta stone and this is what they did first, taught you the spoken and conversational Latin, as well as proper pronunciation, then taught you the written and grammatical aspects. And I would have loved to been able to have the chance to learn German or French other than JUST Spanish, in public school, it just seems unfair ya know. There are other ethnic groups in this country besides Hispanics, I mean why not teach Mandarin as there is a large community of Chinese, Or Arabic as there is a large community of Arabic's, Or Japanese as many areas have a large community of them as well. the list goes on, it is just PC BS.

[Wiggles]

Spaz - How lucky for you, going to a private academy sounds super sweet. It's a shame most schools seem to emphasize solely on Spanish. Not that it doesn't make sense, with the huge Spanish communities down south, but I'd somehow find it more rational to have either French or German as a main second language, as the USA nation is historically more related to these languages and their cultures.

Oh, and Spoken Latin? How does that work? :) In my Latin studies there was no emphasis on speech (only correct pronunciation), so you got me curious!

Wiggles - I's a pity the emphasis on languages isn't that big in USA. Although I'm sure, like you said, it's very different between states. It's awesome you got to choose from these interesting languages in community college! Juicy :D And etymology classes too? Sweet! I adore etymology. I studied Latin and Ancient Greek for 3 years myself and I agree, at least Latin should be mandatory for all. It helped my French a lot, and it's even helping me tons now in my German studies. But since you know some Latin, picking up Spanish shouldn't be too difficult! It seems like you have a prime base for studying Spanish, do by all means go for it :) So have you decided to go for Spanish, or what?


Texas is pretty fortunate to have some pretty sweet opportunities! My only regret is we are not taught a different language starting at a young age working up to high school. Imagine if public schools began teaching kids as young as 5 years English and another language in America! But American education is a discussion to be had on a different thread. :P


Foreign language becomes a bigger deal in high school. About 3 years ago the Texas Board of Education ruled students must take a minimum of 3 years of a foreign language beginning with class of 2011 students. In other words, I graduate this year, 2010, and am unaffected by this ruling, my sister on the other hand graduates next year so she will have to take 3 years of foreign language. I wish I took more than 2 years of Latin, I would rather have been forced to take 3 years. I had a lot of work in my core classes and my Latin teacher was very thorough and her work was very rigorous!


On top of learning Latin I know some French as well. :) I'm a baby at the language but I can pick out words as I hear them in conversation.


And yes! I'm fairly certain I will be learning Spanish come May. I have a 4 month summer this year so I will be sure to take ample time to learn as much of a new language as I can on top of drawing, working, traveling, and visiting! :D


After Spanish I figure I'll learn Japanese, then French, then Chinese, then German. But who knows what will really happen! :P


Do you know languages other than German, English, Latin and Greek?




-Wiggs

[AsaB]

Spaz - Ooh, I've tried Rosetta Stone, a pretty neat program. I knew they had Latin, and as I've only used it for German, I was wondering how that'd go about, being a dead language and all :p So it's kinda fun having a vocabulary base about everyday things! I could probably keep up a conversation in Latin, as long as it's about slaves on the field and such ;)
As for Spanish, yes, I very much agree they seem to boycott other languages in the public school system. But at least you got something good out of it!

Wiggles - Do you know of any country that teaches a foreign language from the age of 5? That'd be awesome! Over here we start studying English at the age of 10 and Danish at 12, both mandatory until the age of 16. It actually used to be the other way around, but was changed shortly after I started English. But yeah, I agree it could even start at a younger age! It's good news that Texas is changing its language requirements, good for your sister. :)

And to answer your question, I also know Danish (as stated) and French in addition to the other four. And because of my Danish knowledge, it's fairly easy to understand Norwegian and a little Swedish and Faroese as well. We're all a big happy family here up north, hehe :D

So Spanish it is for you! I'd love to study it, it sounds so pretty. I'm sure you could learn a lot in 4 months, with some dedication. Do you intend to study on your own or attend classes? Heh, and your future plan seems solid. Japanese looks and sounds beautiful as well, I'm sure it's great fun to study, good luck with all!

[Jazz]

Man, I'd love to learn a new language. I want to learn Mandarin cuz my sister-in-law is from China and speaks Mandarin with my brother (he's learning it, and she's actually learning it. She mainly speaks Cantonese.) Now and again I get a few words but I always forget them. :P Sis-in-law says that I have potential to speak some good Cantonese. XD

Learning a new language definitely would be a help, no matter where you use it! Just to know more than one is so cool!

[SalOnimaruRem]

When i was younger i wanted to learn japanese but damn high school will not allow me to, them bastards!!!

I still want to learn it but now my drive to learn japanese is going down..:(
Watching anime has help me much...I was thinking Rosetta Stone thingy, sounds like that would help me with that

I was watching a chinese anime and i learned how to say "Amazing" in chinese lol

I'm thinking about taking French, since i feel more towards French than any other languages

I learned some Bulgarian words, mostly just wat i want to learn how to say :/

Man, sucks to be mixed with other races when none of the good genes go to ya ><
i can't speak Thai or understand it
I can't speak Chinese or understand it *cries*
i can barely speak my Cambodian language in a couple of sentence and understand it well huurrggghh *explodes*

English language has taken over me... -_-

[Wiggles]

Spaz - Ooh, I've tried Rosetta Stone, a pretty neat program. I knew they had Latin, and as I've only used it for German, I was wondering how that'd go about, being a dead language and all :p So it's kinda fun having a vocabulary base about everyday things! I could probably keep up a conversation in Latin, as long as it's about slaves on the field and such ;)
As for Spanish, yes, I very much agree they seem to boycott other languages in the public school system. But at least you got something good out of it!

Wiggles - Do you know of any country that teaches a foreign language from the age of 5? That'd be awesome! Over here we start studying English at the age of 10 and Danish at 12, both mandatory until the age of 16. It actually used to be the other way around, but was changed shortly after I started English. But yeah, I agree it could even start at a younger age! It's good news that Texas is changing its language requirements, good for your sister. :)

And to answer your question, I also know Danish (as stated) and French in addition to the other four. And because of my Danish knowledge, it's fairly easy to understand Norwegian and a little Swedish and Faroese as well. We're all a big happy family here up north, hehe :D

So Spanish it is for you! I'd love to study it, it sounds so pretty. I'm sure you could learn a lot in 4 months, with some dedication. Do you intend to study on your own or attend classes? Heh, and your future plan seems solid. Japanese looks and sounds beautiful as well, I'm sure it's great fun to study, good luck with all!


I think I have a solution to teaching kids a foreign language at the age of 5: teach them yourself!! :D I would love to be able to teach my future children at least three languages fluently by the time they graduate from high school. :)

At least you have a system that force teaches kids a language. The forcing here is very minimal and does not take affect until last 4 years of public education, at least in Texas. I look back and wish I would have been forced to learn Latin because it would have increased my understanding of the construction of English as well as all other romance languages!

WOW! You know some amazing languages!! I can't help but feel a lil jealous. lol.

I intend to use Rosetta Stone. I have many friends that speak Spanish fluently so I can strengthen my fluent-ness through social contact! :P I would attend classes but I hear so many great things about Rosetta Stone and I'm sure it will pay off much more.

Thank you! I hope all goes well with wherever your studies take you!! :)




-Wiggs

[Kraus]

I speak Russian, French and English, not out of my own will either. I never actualy considered being considerate and talking to others in anything other than English..

I'd strongly suggest Japanese. Why? Because they have built a live-sized Gundam and it's operational allready, that's why..

[Wiggles]

I'd strongly suggest Japanese. Why? Because they have built a live-sized Gundam and it's operational allready, that's why..

All you had to say was "live-sized Gundam" and I am ready to pounce, lol.




-Wiggs

[ShroudStar]

I used to want to learn Japanese, but not so much anymore. I'm intermediate with speaking Chinese, but rather poor at reading and writing it because I grew up in the U.S. where exposure to English soon made that my mother tongue. Still, I can carry on a passable and decent conversation with my grandparents, who are fluent in Mandarin Chinese along with my folks.

Now one language I really want to learn is Scots-Gaelic. Sure, it's not much use in the universal context and some people disparage it as a "useless dead language" but it's beautiful along with Irish-Gaelic.

[Deepinonespersona]

I'm going to learn French next (read: Ubisooooft)


Add some Mandrian (Ubisooft shinghai office)

[Qitsune]

You can never know too many languages, but it's important to pick one that excites you. I can speak and write French and English and understand *some* Spanish and Japanese. I wish I was more persistent at learning Japanese. One thing that helps is access to a media in that language. Watching Japanese movies or reading French comics, having friends who know that language. It's almost impossible to learn a language without regular and enjoyable practice.

If you don't know what to learn, you can learn french, then you will know that words like plein air and atelier are not really fancy artspeak.

[Max Challie]

I almost want to learn Japanese just to work on Armored Core!
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[bitjockey]

I think french would be useful to learn. It's a widely used language in many countries, and Montreal and Quebec city have a number of video game companies operating out of them. The province of Quebec also produces a lot of french-language movies.