Would you be interested in learning a new language?
By bluerhapsody
@bluerhapsody (161)
January 13, 2012 9:56am CST
Would you be interested in learning a new language?(as an English speaker)
With the creation of Google Translate and English being the so-called international language? Is there still a need for linguists and foreign language learning?
I am currently learning french and sort of hitting a plateau. So how about you guys? any experience dabbling with a new language? Was it a meaningful endeavor or not? Is it worth the time, effort and the headaches?
8 responses
@krajibg (11923)
• Guwahati, India
13 Jan 12
Hi there,
I just could not get what you wanted to mean by "[/b]...English being the so-called international language and "[b]Is there still a need for linguists".
First thing, English is already an International Language. Almost all the scientific terms are English and on higher level there are translators. If a Russian president has to visit other country he needs a guide/translator to make the discourse between say the two heads of the Nations. Another example that English is an International Language is the Chinese people. Earlier they were least interested to learn English but now see how desperate they are to learn English. Here on mylot itself there a lot of Chinese users some of who posting/responding/commenting in English without caring how correctly they are on it.
Second thing there is no link between language learning and linguists. Linguists are not helping any one teach how to speak English. They are expert as to how any given language is structured.
And yes, I am always interested to learn new language. An addition of a new language is a boosting of your confidence.
@bluerhapsody (161)
•
13 Jan 12
What I meant was that English is the preferred language because of its accessibility in the world. And by linguists, I meant by the definition, those who speak various languages fluently.
Yeah, learning languages do help in feeling a sense of achievement but I would like to know if somebody who knows English can get by in different parts of the world without the knowledge of the native tongue because most people(I'm guessing) speak at least understandable English.
@krajibg (11923)
• Guwahati, India
13 Jan 12
My friend I am afraid you have a wrong concept over linguists. This is not necessary that a linguist knows many languages or fluent in several languages. Even without knowing the target language a linguist can deal with a foreign language. He collect data like morphology, phonology, syntax, and semantic.
What you said about one's fluency over many languages is called a polyglot. I hope you are clear now. Personally speaking I teach Linguistics in a college to the under graduate students.
@bluerhapsody (161)
•
13 Jan 12
Ah. Thank you, my friend. It seems I have to trust you because you have the degree and I have not.:) Cheers!
@Sarahliuliwen (300)
• China
25 Jan 13
So sad, you're asking English native speakers;(But as a English major, and having studied a little French and Japanese, I've found learning a language is so much fun! I love learning new things, it feels refreshing! But if you want to learn it very well, you have to work hard on it, which is by no means an easy task.
@murkie (1103)
• Philippines
23 Nov 12
i would want to.
unfortunately though, i do not have the patience. english is not my mother tongue, but i can speak it. it's because we learn it in school. but aside from english i would want to learn other languages as well. i would want french, german, russian, spanish, and even latin. i dunno exactly why. but i just want to.
oh, and i know a little about spanish and latin declension.
@olivetree27 (495)
• Greece
7 Nov 12
If you go to European countries, it is difficult to find a decent job if you don't speak at least two European language. I'm trying to learn French too and Spanish and Russian are next on my list.
@sivaeinfo (220)
• India
14 Jan 12
Yes., Nowadays the need of linguistic get decrease because of the people learn more languages in childhood. They have learned it for professional career and also for developing their business across world wide. This help them to get direct need from customers, maintaining the secrets etc. I also like to learn Japanese, french and Chinese etc language. It is not easily possible. Its better o learn some extra language.
