What language to learn, German or French?

[Pyropyro]

I was discussing with my professor on what languages are needed by research and community development NGO's. We narrowed the selection down to the German and French languages.

Anyways these are some of the pros and cons that I considered:

French:
Pros:
* Everything sounds sexy
* One of the main languages in some Southeast Asian countries
Cons
* Aside from romance and cuisine, I can't think of any advantages that the language gives me.

German:
Pros:
* Everything sounds manly
* Access to a wealth of German research which my former superiors attest as excellent
Cons:
* Uh... Godwin's law will be invoked more frequently

Anyways, which language should I learn (probably as a hobby but a third language won't hurt career growth). The language that is closer to the English language is preferable.

 

[crippli]

Technicality vs sexyality. That is a challenging fork on the road. Throw a coin, for better or worse

 

[Solitaire U.]

If your native language is English, French will probably be slightly easier. It is a sensual language.

But French is rather bourgeois as a foreign language. German by comparison, is just so...forceful. So...foreign. Also, I really dig those long-ass compound nouns like 'Weißwedelhirsche' (white-tailed deer).

If it were me, I'd opt for German for its sheer exotic machoness.

 

[Brontosaurie]

french sexy?


french sounds like self-indulgent shit. because it is. l2calibrate

 

[Pyropyro]

If your native language is English, French will probably be slightly easier. It is a sensual language.

But French is rather bourgeois as a foreign language. German by comparison, is just so...forceful. So...foreign. Also, I really dig those long-ass compound nouns like 'Weißwedelhirsche' (white-tailed deer).

If it were me, I'd opt for German for its sheer exotic machoness.

English is my second language so perhaps French may be easier to learn.

Basically it's sexy versus macho. Ugh... can't I just have both.

 

[Pyropyro]

Technicality vs sexyality.

My Ti and Si are debating with my Ne and Fe

 

[Solitaire U.]

... can't I just have both.

Yes! Learn Italian.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3DX9Ho83QI

 

[Pyropyro]

Yes! Learn Italian.

A third option I'm not actually familiar with that language but I'll look into it.

 

[The Gopher]

German, french is the only language I wouldn't learn based on principle. It's a poor principle but hey gotta have some.

 

[Hawkeye]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBIMvXpw0t0

 

[Amagi82]

It doesn't matter. Unless you move to one of the countries that speak it, you'll forget basically everything within a couple years. The real value is getting exposed to different culture, and the massive amount of information you'll learn about English and the structure of language itself while learning French or German. My mastery of the English language improved dramatically from my time learning French.

 

[Doob]

German is my native language, English my second and French my third.

English and German are both Germanic languages and there are a lot of similarities in vocabulary. French by contrast is a Romance language but it influenced English over the centuries so that there are a lot of English words that are based on French ones. You'll have to learn a new grammar in both cases and I don't think that one of them is closer to English than the other one.

I personally like all three languages, they are all beautiful in their own way. Choose the language that is more useful for you or the one you like more for other reasons.

Edit: I agree with Amagi82, you do not only learn a new language you also learn about languages that are related to or influenced by the language you learn. England, France and Germany have a long history together and you can see it in the languages.

 

[Pyropyro]

@ Amagi82 and Doob

Glad that you raised the points about culture. I think both countries have rich cultures and history. I also like the fact that I'm forced to train my English skills while learning their language too.

At the end of the day, learning a new language is all about connecting with another person. Hmm... perhaps I'll lurk on some of their forums to see what language easier to connect with.

 

[ZenRaiden]

Master French like there is no tomorrow. After you master French language it is easy to study any language. I find french very hard to learn.

 

[redbaron]

Hawkeye's video makes me want to learn German.

 

[Pyropyro]

I've decided to go for German Thanks for your advice guys.

 

[Ex-User (8886)]

why not russian ?

 

[pjoa09]

Well if you ever thought about leaving to Africa I don't think German would ever be helpful there where as French could just make you feel like a local.

There are lots of places where French people have laid their influences on.

 

[Cherry Cola]

Look at their great Philosophers and literary achievements, pick that which comes out on top :O

 

[GodOfOrder]

Look at their great Philosophers and literary achievements, pick that which comes out on top :O

Descartes vs Nietzsche

Easy choice. Germans all the way.

 

[Cherry Cola]

That's like the least fair comparison ever. But after looking at a list I think the result is the same anyway.

 

[Pyropyro]

why not russian ?

That place is too cold for comfort

Besides, I don't think they're that known for their tech or romantic skills.

 

[Ex-User (8886)]

That place is too cold for comfort

Besides, I don't think they're that known for their tech or romantic skills.

They have the most beautiful woman ; )

 

[Pyropyro]

They have the most beautiful woman ; )

I know, but if the little guys downstairs get frozen solid... Anyways, they could come visit here instead.