Question:
have completed my bachelors in comp sci and psychology. I also
studied many cognitive science courses. I am interested in
linguistics and I feel that it is important for me to learn a foriegn
language. What I would like to know is what foriegn language(s) would
give me the most insight to the differences and similarities of human
languages. I would expect that it would have to be considerably
different from English in structure, but I was wondering if and
Indo-European languages would suffice. If not, what languages would
be best for me to learn?
Answer:
At the time I studied comp. ling. (in Germany) I was advised to study
Chinese. It's hard and not very rewarding. Furthermore, while vocabulary
and writing are interesting, the grammar is definitely not (IMO).
If I were you, I would rather choose a language which you would LIKE to
speak, for a combination of reasons which is right for you. Don't leave
the emotional side out, that's what I mean.
Anyhow, Chinese is probably a language on the rise, on the world scene.
I personally think German is an interesting language, with many
interesting features (it is more complicated than English, for sure),
but then most Germans speak English fluently...
With Spanish, on the other hand, probably the largest number of countries
will open to you...
Submit Your
Own Answer!
