Language/Language Learning

[The Revolutionary Haitian Republic]

I would love to learn either Japanese, Korean, Russian, or Arabic. I want to major in International Business with a minor in one of these languages, then pursue either a diplomatic job, or one working as a translator/negociator for foreign companies. Does anybody have any tips for learning any of these languages? I am looking into Rosetta Stone or some other program for one of these languages but I am not sure what to do yet. Also, which of these would be be most useful to learn for a future international business environment?

I was thinking Arabic, but I am not entirely sure.

[Arumdaum]

I would love to learn either Japanese, Korean, Russian, or Arabic. I want to major in International Business with a minor in one of these languages, then pursue either a diplomatic job, or one working as a translator/negociator for foreign companies. Does anybody have any tips for learning any of these languages? I am looking into Rosetta Stone or some other program for one of these languages but I am not sure what to do yet. Also, which of these would be be most useful to learn for a future international business environment?

I was thinking Arabic, but I am not entirely sure.

I'd recommend not learning Korean as well as not moving there if you're planning to live there for any amount of time. Discrimination against foreigners is widespread and severe.

[The Revolutionary Haitian Republic]

I would love to learn either Japanese, Korean, Russian, or Arabic. I want to major in International Business with a minor in one of these languages, then pursue either a diplomatic job, or one working as a translator/negociator for foreign companies. Does anybody have any tips for learning any of these languages? I am looking into Rosetta Stone or some other program for one of these languages but I am not sure what to do yet. Also, which of these would be be most useful to learn for a future international business environment?

I was thinking Arabic, but I am not entirely sure.

I'd recommend not learning Korean as well as not moving there if you're planning to live there for any amount of time. Discrimination against foreigners is widespread and severe.

Really? Yeah forget about that then, my top two though were Russian and Arabic, however some close family members have advised that I continue my Spanish education into college due to an ever booming Spanish market. I really don't know though, I want to learn a diverse and interesting language (I'm really interested in the Middle East), but Spanish is easier to learn since I've already been at it for a few years.

[Buffett and Colbert]

I'd recommend not learning Korean as well as not moving there if you're planning to live there for any amount of time. Discrimination against foreigners is widespread and severe.

Really? Yeah forget about that then, my top two though were Russian and Arabic, however some close family members have advised that I continue my Spanish education into college due to an ever booming Spanish market. I really don't know though, I want to learn a diverse and interesting language (I'm really interested in the Middle East), but Spanish is easier to learn since I've already been at it for a few years.

I'm not sure about the "booming Spanish market" but as far as the language goes, it is easier and its good to follow something through to the end.

[Daistallia 2104]

Incorrectly attempting correction doesn't do much for your case.

Except when the 'correction' of the correction is incorrect.

Let's see what that says, shall we?

US behoove

Linking to a source that demonstrates your point to be false really doesn't help your case.

[Kirrig]

Except when the 'correction' of the correction is incorrect.

Let's see what that says, shall we?

US behoove

Linking to a source that demonstrates your point to be false really doesn't help your case.

US in dictionaries' stands for Utterly Stupid and is wrong. There is a reason why it said behove up in big letters. Just because a lot of people spell it wrong it doesn't make that spelling right.

[Daistallia 2104]

I would love to learn either Japanese, Korean, Russian, or Arabic. I want to major in International Business with a minor in one of these languages, then pursue either a diplomatic job, or one working as a translator/negociator for foreign companies. Does anybody have any tips for learning any of these languages? I am looking into Rosetta Stone or some other program for one of these languages but I am not sure what to do yet. Also, which of these would be be most useful to learn for a future international business environment?

I was thinking Arabic, but I am not entirely sure.

Really? Yeah forget about that then, my top two though were Russian and Arabic, however some close family members have advised that I continue my Spanish education into college due to an ever booming Spanish market. I really don't know though, I want to learn a diverse and interesting language (I'm really interested in the Middle East), but Spanish is easier to learn since I've already been at it for a few years.

Of those original four, Arabic is the most widely spoken, followed by Russian and Japanese and then distantly followed by Korean. Spanish is also widely spoken. Some other choices to consider include Mandarin or Hindi. Mandarin is either the most widely or second most widely spoken langauage, depending on how one classifies that and what statistics one uses. Spanish and Arabic are both spoken by several hundred millions across several countries. Hindi, Russian, and Japanese are all spoken by 100+ million, but are not spoken widely beyond their countries of origin.

Notably, several of the languages you mention are among the six official langauges used by the UN - English, Mandarin, Spanish, Russian, French, and Arabic - and so are usefull for diplomacy.

For business purposes, I'd rank future potential usefulness thusly:

1) Mandarin
2) Hindi
3) Spanish
4) Arabic or French
5) Japanese
6) Russian
7) Korean

(Also, note that if you wish to pursue a career as a translator/negotiator, it's helpful to spell the word correctly. )

I'd recommend not learning Korean as well as not moving there if you're planning to live there for any amount of time. Discrimination against foreigners is widespread and severe.

While I've only visited, I do know several people who've lived there for years and have found it OK.

[Daistallia 2104]

US in dictionaries' stands for Utterly Stupid and is wrong. There is a reason why it said behove up in big letters. Just because a lot of people spell it wrong it doesn't make that spelling right.

There is an old saying: Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.

At this point, I shall sit back, allow you to continue making a clown of yourself, and laugh at your bigotry and ignorance.

[Kirrig]

US in dictionaries' stands for Utterly Stupid and is wrong. There is a reason why it said behove up in big letters. Just because a lot of people spell it wrong it doesn't make that spelling right.

There is an old saying: Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.

At this point, I shall sit back, allow you to continue making a clown of yourself, and laugh at your bigotry and ignorance.

Bigotry perhaps, ignorance never. The US form of spelling is incorrect, full stop.

I like the saying, I wish I had heard it earlier.

[Arumdaum]

While I've only visited, I do know several people who've lived there for years and have found it OK.

Police will generally mistreat and ignore you for not being Korean, and you won't be included in meetings at the workplace. Especially if you don't know Korean.

[The Blaatschapen]

For business purposes, I'd rank future potential usefulness thusly:

1) Mandarin
2) Hindi
3) Spanish
4) Arabic or French
5) Japanese
6) Russian
7) Korean

This list might also be highly influenced by location. Me, I would drop Korean and insert German (I will assume that English was a given since we're conversing in it). However, if you plan to do a lot of business in countries that border the Pacific, I'd drop German(and perhaps Arabic) and add either Korean or Indonesian/Malay to the mix. Likewise, in South-America I'd add Portuguese.

[YellowApple]

I'm an American and I know plenty of languages, like C, Java, Visual Basic, SQL, a bit of COBOL...

In all seriousness, though, I do speak a little bit of Spanish, being a Californian. Not fluent, but enough to at least understand someone if they spoke slowly. I also know a few Arabic words from my ex-girlfriend, though not enough to write coherent sentences (I can say "yellow", "thank you", "shut up", and "my beloved", and with a bit of mental strain I could probably remember "green", "woman", "boy", and "plane"). I'm planning on picking up Rosetta Stone to get more fluent in Spanish (really helps with employment around these parts) and possibly dabble into some other languages.

[Morpugoz]

Im fluent in french and english (canada FTW!) and really really really want to learn Japanese and spanish (the more easy alternative)

[Daistallia 2104]

This list might also be highly influenced by location. Me, I would drop Korean and insert German (I will assume that English was a given since we're conversing in it). However, if you plan to do a lot of business in countries that border the Pacific, I'd drop German(and perhaps Arabic) and add either Korean or Indonesian/Malay to the mix. Likewise, in South-America I'd add Portuguese.

That list was TRHR's preferences plus a few more generally useful ones. rather than a general list.

Yes, English is a given.

For the more regionally focused, yes, your additions would be good.

more easy

I'd focus on English first...

[YellowApple]

more easy

I'd focus on English first...

It's technically correct, even if it does sound weird. Kind of like how "this day" is technically correct

[Daistallia 2104]

I'd focus on English first...

It's technically correct, even if it does sound weird. Kind of like how "this day" is technically correct

Nope, it's not. Easier is the correct form to use here. It's a simple set of rules to remember:
1 syllable ending in -e: use -r (Wide, wider)
1 syllable ending in V: use -er (grey, greyer)
1 syllable ending in V+C: use -Cer (big, bigger)
1 syllable ending in CC: use -er (high, higher)
2 syllables ending in a consoant + y: use -ier (easy, easier)
2 syllables ending in -ful/-less/-ing/-ed/-ous: use more (painless, more painless)
2 syllables ending in other: irregular, but commonly use eirth -er or more (shallower, more shallow)
3+ syllables: use more (brobdingnagian, more brobdingnagian)

[Kirrig]

It's technically correct, even if it does sound weird. Kind of like how "this day" is technically correct

Nope, it's not. Easier is the correct form to use here. It's a simple set of rules to remember:
1 syllable ending in -e: use -r (Wide, wider)
1 syllable ending in V: use -er (grey, greyer)
1 syllable ending in V+C: use -Cer (big, bigger)
1 syllable ending in CC: use -er (high, higher)
2 syllables ending in a consoant + y: use -ier (easy, easier)
2 syllables ending in -ful/-less/-ing/-ed/-ous: use more (painless, more painless)
2 syllables ending in other: irregular, but commonly use eirth -er or more (shallower, more shallow)
3+ syllables: use more (brobdingnagian, more brobdingnagian)

I presume the use V and C for vowel and consonant is commonplace? Either that or I can't read Y and C in the same way as you...

[Kirrig]

For business purposes, I'd rank future potential usefulness thusly:

1) Mandarin
2) Hindi
3) Spanish
4) Arabic or French
5) Japanese
6) Russian
7) Korean

This list might also be highly influenced by location. Me, I would drop Korean and insert German (I will assume that English was a given since we're conversing in it). However, if you plan to do a lot of business in countries that border the Pacific, I'd drop German(and perhaps Arabic) and add either Korean or Indonesian/Malay to the mix. Likewise, in South-America I'd add Portuguese.

I believe part of South America speaks Dutch.

And for Africa I'd replace Japanese with French, Russian with Swahili, Korean with Afrikaans or Dutch and hope for the best.

[The Blaatschapen]

This list might also be highly influenced by location. Me, I would drop Korean and insert German (I will assume that English was a given since we're conversing in it). However, if you plan to do a lot of business in countries that border the Pacific, I'd drop German(and perhaps Arabic) and add either Korean or Indonesian/Malay to the mix. Likewise, in South-America I'd add Portuguese.

I believe part of South America speaks Dutch.

And for Africa I'd replace Japanese with French, Russian with Swahili, Korean with Afrikaans or Dutch and hope for the best.

They speak Dutch in Suriname. They also speak it on a couple of islands in the caribbean. Now, on those islands you usually can speak English as well. And Suriname... well unless you're in the bauxite business, it really isn't all that economically developed.

[Kirrig]

I believe part of South America speaks Dutch.

And for Africa I'd replace Japanese with French, Russian with Swahili, Korean with Afrikaans or Dutch and hope for the best.

They speak Dutch in Suriname. They also speak it on a couple of islands in the caribbean. Now, on those islands you usually can speak English as well. And Suriname... well unless you're in the bauxite business, it really isn't all that economically developed.

Hilarious there's a place that works in that same industry down the road from me.

De goedkope online vertaler zal vrijwel zeker dingen dit op, maar wat ik bedoel te zeggen is dat ze spul van aluminium te verkopen.

[The Blaatschapen]

They speak Dutch in Suriname. They also speak it on a couple of islands in the caribbean. Now, on those islands you usually can speak English as well. And Suriname... well unless you're in the bauxite business, it really isn't all that economically developed.

Hilarious there's a place that works in that same industry down the road from me.

De goedkope online vertaler zal vrijwel zeker dingen dit op, maar wat ik bedoel te zeggen is dat ze spul van aluminium te verkopen.

The cheap online translator shall almost certainly things this up, but what I try to say is that they stuff of aluminium to sell.

Yeah, it kinda botched that one.

[Kirrig]

Hilarious there's a place that works in that same industry down the road from me.

De goedkope online vertaler zal vrijwel zeker dingen dit op, maar wat ik bedoel te zeggen is dat ze spul van aluminium te verkopen.

The cheap online translator shall almost certainly things this up, but what I try to say is that they stuff of aluminium to sell.

Yeah, it kinda botched that one.

At least the meaning comes across vaguely. With a French translation I did earlier the translation of 'somewhat' to 'quite' totally altered the meaning.

[The Blaatschapen]

The cheap online translator shall almost certainly things this up, but what I try to say is that they stuff of aluminium to sell.

Yeah, it kinda botched that one.

At least the meaning comes across vaguely. With a French translation I did earlier the translation of 'somewhat' to 'quite' totally altered the meaning.

I doubt you wrote down 'things this up' though

[Kirrig]

At least the meaning comes across vaguely. With a French translation I did earlier the translation of 'somewhat' to 'quite' totally altered the meaning.

I doubt you wrote down 'things this up' though

Quite, I wrote 'stuff this up.'

Can you tell me what is amusing about this passage:
Let me see if I can write with words that come from the tongues of the first speaker's of English. I will fail.

[The Blaatschapen]

I doubt you wrote down 'things this up' though

Quite, I wrote 'stuff this up.'

Can you tell me what is amusing about this passage:
Let me see if I can write with words that come from the tongues of the first speaker's of English. I will fail.

Nothing?