Author Topic: If you could speak any language fluently . . . (Read 6558 times)

Jonathon · « **on:** September 15, 2005, 12:04:22 PM »

I was thinking about grad school requirements, particularly the requirements of BYU's linguistics program, which state that you must study two languages, one of which must be non-Romance and non-Germanic. Unfortunately, I currently have very little interest in learning any languages outside of the Romance and Germanic families. I'd make exceptions for Celtic languages, though.

So then I thought about what languages I'd like to speak if I could pick anything I want. French and German would be at the top of my list, followed by Dutch, Welsh, and Scottish. I'd like to know Old English better, but it's really not the sort of language that you speak.

pooka · « **Reply #1 on:** September 15, 2005, 12:14:03 PM »

I plan to learn spanish because I believe that is where we will make up our population lag as the baby boomers retire. Hebrew is nice for studying the bible. I think ancient Greek for similar reasons. In terms of the parameters of non romance and non Germanic (not sure where Greek rates in there) I suppose my next choice would be to learn Chinese since I think America could be looking at some further contact with that nation. And, uh, I'm half chinese.

Porter · « **Reply #2 on:** September 15, 2005, 12:22:00 PM »

Studying Spanish is fun, because I do it while watching DVDs.

AFR · « **Reply #3 on:** September 15, 2005, 12:28:33 PM »

I would want to learn Spanish. In fact, I should. I always wish I spoke it, living in an area heavily populated by Spanish speakers.

I would also like to learn Arabic.

Icarus · « **Reply #4 on:** September 15, 2005, 05:45:12 PM »

Japanese, to more easily communicate with our future overlords.

Mr. Anderson · « **Reply #5 on:** September 15, 2005, 06:33:03 PM »

Navajo

kojabu · « **Reply #6 on:** September 15, 2005, 06:43:20 PM »

Just one?

Today I was in the library looking at a bunch of books about the Old Testament and half of them were in Hebrew with no translation and at that moment I wished I was fluent in Hebrew.

But really I guess I'd pick Italian because I'm Italian and I love Italy and would love to maybe live there someday. But on the list of other languages I'd want to learn are Hebrew, Arabic, Welsh, German, Dutch, etc.

Jonathon · « **Reply #7 on:** September 15, 2005, 09:00:41 PM »

Heck, I didn't pick just one. No reason why you should have to.

Mr. Anderson · « **Reply #8 on:** September 15, 2005, 09:13:17 PM »

Quote

...other languages I'd want to learn are Hebrew, Arabic, Welsh, German, Dutch, and all the rest, too.

I fixed it for you.

rivka · « **Reply #9 on:** September 15, 2005, 11:01:45 PM »

Quote

Today I was in the library looking at a bunch of books about the Old Testament and half of them were in Hebrew with no translation and at that moment I wished I was fluent in Hebrew.

[nitpick] If they were in Hebrew, chances are their authors would not refer to anything called the "Old Testament." [/nitpick]

I won't even comment regarding the subjunctive (or lack of same). I'm trying to give up on that gracefully.

Kama · « **Reply #10 on:** September 16, 2005, 03:41:46 AM »

English?

*hides*

Porter · « **Reply #11 on:** September 16, 2005, 07:03:43 AM »

Quote

[nitpick] If they were in Hebrew, chances are their authors would not refer to anything called the "Old Testament." [/nitpick]

[nitpick]I'm sure they did refer to something called the "Old Testament", even if they didn't refer to it that way. [/nitpick]

kojabu · « **Reply #12 on:** September 16, 2005, 07:11:12 AM »

Ok ok ok, let me rephrase my statement.

Yesterday I was in the library looking at a bunch of books in the section relating to books of the Bible, in specific the area of books of the Old Testament. I was looking for books on 1 and 2 Kings in particular, as well as on the Deuteronomist Historian. Half of them were in Hebrew with no translation and at that moment I wished I were fluent in Hebrew.

sarcasticmuppet · « **Reply #13 on:** September 16, 2005, 08:43:50 AM »

I'd like to speak French and Arabic and modern Hebrew and Spanish and maybe a little German.

Icarus · « **Reply #14 on:** September 16, 2005, 12:29:00 PM »

Never give up, rivka!

Porter · « **Reply #15 on:** September 16, 2005, 12:39:51 PM »

Never surrender!

Noemon · « **Reply #16 on:** September 16, 2005, 12:59:27 PM »

I would like to be fluent in Thai, Northern Thai (which is really more of a seperate language than a dialect--it is to Thai as Portugese is to Spanish), and Lao. I love that particular corner of the world, and really enjoy the sounds of those languages and the look of the script. I have a lesser desire to learn Spanish, French, Italian, Hausa, Swahili, Hindi and Arabic.

I find written Korean fascinating, and would love to learn to read it, which I suppose would involve my learning to speak the language as well.

sarcasticmuppet · « **Reply #17 on:** September 16, 2005, 01:10:14 PM »

Oh yeah, Hindi...*refines list*

Japanese too.

Noemon · « **Reply #18 on:** September 16, 2005, 02:23:37 PM »

::copies off of sarmup, adds Japanese to his list::

Icarus · « **Reply #19 on:** September 16, 2005, 02:58:54 PM »

Ooh, that reminds me (for some odd reason): I wish I were fluent in Basque.

Porter · « **Reply #20 on:** September 16, 2005, 03:01:33 PM »

Japanese, Spanish, Latin, Greek, Hebrew.

Brinestone · « **Reply #21 on:** September 16, 2005, 03:04:21 PM »

Pig Latin, Squirrel, and baby

Ela · « **Reply #22 on:** September 16, 2005, 04:47:30 PM »

Arabic, cause my grandma and lots of my family speak it, and I only know a few words.

Japanese, cause my daughter is studying it and always saying things I don't understand.

I have studied Spanish, French, and Hebrew, but would love to expand my vocabulary and fluency in all three. (Right now, Hebrew is my best second language.) Oh, and I know a bit of Aramaic, a function of having studied Jewish texts using that language.

Slash the Berzerker · « **Reply #23 on:** September 16, 2005, 05:34:55 PM »

Binary.

saxon75 · « **Reply #24 on:** September 16, 2005, 06:12:53 PM »

Japanese, because then I wouldn't have to feel guilty about not speaking it.

After that, Spanish, because what I already know has come in handy on numerous occasions. Then Latin and ancient Greek, because I'm interested in mythology and being able to read primary texts would be cool. Then Mandarin because it would be useful for work. Then it's a tie between Arabic, French, Hebrew, and Portuguese.