Who wants to plan my life?

[dev22]

Other than Mandarin, which language would be most useful in Malaysia?

[Deleted]

Personally, I've love to learn Russian but for the purposes of this post, I voted for Arabic.

[dev22]

May 16, 2012 7:54:59 GMT -5 @publius said:

English.

Well that then!

[Melissa W.]

I voted Arabic but.. I dunno.

My friend is living in Thailand and is studying their language. She says it is a little of mind fuck as she also studied German and French.

[arborgold]

I'm working on getting my french back up to speed, and then I might actually go over to spanish (so many jobs around here want it!). After that, though, I'd love to start on Arabic.

[charminglife]

I voted for Arabic, because I think it would be the most challenging of the options you listed and will keep you busy if you're looking for something to fill your time. Can I ask what long-term means - is there any chance you'll be moving somewhere in 5/10 years where another language would be useful?

[marie427]

I voted Czech because even though it would be completely useless, I do love the language too.

[fernane]

I voted Spanish since it will probably come back fairly easily since its already there somewhere..and it's becoming increasingly useful in the US.

[Deleted]

Honestly, you know English, German, and French so unless you're looking at a high, high possibility of needing one of those languages in the not to distant future, I say you pick something that has the most interest you to.

Also, I'm not sure how easy it will be to pick up Mandarin if you aren't in situations that would allow you to use it very often. It seems like it's a language that really requires practice.

[dev22]

May 16, 2012 8:14:20 GMT -5 @publius said:

Would the people voting Spanish change their votes if they knew our chances of ever moving back to the US for good are incredibly slim?

Nah. I just picked it because it seemed like that is where you had a lot of interest (based on your years of taking it in school).

[mrshandy]

I voted Spanish. It's relatively easy to learn and is going to continue to be an important language all over the world. Also, if you ever come back to the United States, the hispanic population is going explode in the next 20 years.

Let me just say, I'm totally jealous. I would love to just learn languages in spare time. I just need to find someone who will pay me to do that.

[dev22]

May 16, 2012 8:34:03 GMT -5 @publius said:

May 16, 2012 8:29:59 GMT -5 dev22 said:

Nah. I just picked it because it seemed like that is where you had a lot of interest (based on your years of taking it in school).

The 9 years in school were forced. As soon as I got the option to switch I did (to a language I already spoke. I was a lazy kid).

Well then. Hmmm, I say go with whatever language you would be most excited to learn.

Also. I stopped taking Spanish and switched to ASL in college because I am a lazy lazy heifer.

[meshaliuknits]

May 16, 2012 7:45:28 GMT -5 @publius said:

I've had 9 years of Spanish in school but pretty much only remember how to ask where the bathroom is and how to call someone's mother a whore. I'd be starting from scratch.

Ha! Someone recently told me the same thing, down to the calling someone's mama a whore part.

[Deleted]

Can i just say that i am SO incredibly jealous that you have the time to learn a new language?! I have a newborn sucking on my boob right now and I'm feeling a bit....confined. LOL.

I speak English and mostly fluent French and If I were to pick another language it would be Spanish based on my travels, but I picked Arabic because I think it would be the most challenging and useful.

Although, if Mandarin is spoken where you are.....maybe Mandarin. I mean really, you can't go wrong with any language. Except Italian which is only spoken in Italy

[pescalita]

May 16, 2012 7:53:38 GMT -5 @publius said:

How does this have 10 views but only 2 votes? Do people no longer like to click on things?

You can't vote from the app.

Which, maybe you should wish I wasn't on my laptop, because I voted mandarin.

[basilosaurus]

I was going to say malay bc I know there's lots of support to learn it (h has confirmed that indonesian is ridiculously easy from his cursory look), but I think mandarin would be best use of your location. It also is tonal, like thai, but screwing up the tones doesn't usually prevent understanding, according to h at least.

[caden]

Are you hoping to be able to use this new language, or is it just for fun?

[emilyj]

I picked Mandarin, and I'm sorry since you said it's what interests you least! The reason I did is because it seems like you are going to live the international life for quite some time, and I think that may be a language that will serve you well globally. If it's the most useful to you where you are now, and you'd get a lot of exposure to it...

If you have the time, could you do two languages and do Mandarin and Arabic?

[doctorwho]

I say ditch the Indo-European family altogether and learn Japanese.

[Deleted]

Mandarin is the language of Asia and frankly will become for the whole Australasian region. It will be easy to practice due to your location. My theory is if you can speak madarin, spanish and english you're set!