I want to be able to speak one more language, but I am not sure which language to choose. Most people would say Chinese because it seems very useful considering the growing number of Chinese-speaking people. And you have more chance to use it since you can see Chineses traveling or doing business in many places around the world.
That being said, I feel that Chinese is too difficult to learn because the scripts are complicated and you need to memorize a lot. While in other languages, they have limited number of characters like English has 26 characters, Thai has 44 characters, which are more organized and easier to combine to form words because it is quite obvious.
So my question is other than Chinese, what language would you suggest me to learn in the way that would be as useful as Chinese?
I appreciate all your answers!
Thank you very much for all comments. I know for sure that I will be working in Thailand for about 20 years. I feel like knowing the 3rd language would open myself to more opportunities in life. Working as a teacher in Thailand is not a secured job. So if I know more languages, I might be able to relate myself or get involved in many kinds of jobs, which may make my life more financially secured in order to support myself and family in this economy.
I just try to plan and be prepared for my future, that's all. Anyway, thanks again for all of your comments.
Let's compare numer of speakers and territorial range.
English: 360 million native speakers and 380 million as a second language
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Anglospeak.svg
Mandarin (Chinese): 1.2 billion native
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:New-Map-Sinophone_World.PNG
Spanish: 410 million native speakers and 60 million as a second language
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Map-Hispanophone_World.png
Arabic: 290 million native
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Arabic_speaking_world.svg
French: 75 million native 220 to 300 milliontotal L1 and L2 speakers
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:New-Map-Francophone_World.PNG
Russian: 150 million and 110 million L2 speakers
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:RussianLanguageMap.png
German: Standard German: 90 million, all varieties of German: 120 million, L2 speakers: 80 million
I agree with Emi. Every language has its use. It all depends on which ones appeal to you the most and how you plan on using them. Another key factor is motivation. Are you motivated to learn Chinese? Which countries do you want to visit and which language(s) do they speak there? Does their culture interest you in any way?
I agree with what others are saying. Find a language that interests you. For instance, I'm learning Korean because I think Korea is an interesting country and I enjoy learning about it. You'll be more motivated to learn a language if you're interested in the culture that uses it.
Unless you pick some extremely obscure language that very few people know (like the language of an Amazon tribe or something), you can always put it to good use.
When I was in my 1st year in highschool I learn Japanese because I was addicted in anime.
However in my 3rd year I have lots of korean schoolmate, classmates and friends since our school is owned by a korean so I studied korean language.
Currently I am studying spanish because I think but not sure it is the second language in america. Spanish and Filipino language has some similarities.
I agreed and also studying Chinese because there are lots of chinese here and me and my friends are planning to visit Hong Kong lol I dont know if they speak Mandarin..
Choose a language that can be useful for you for example if you are going to migrate in Japan then learn Japanese.. if you have lots of Korean friends you can learn korean or what is the major population of foreign nationality that are staying in your city. You should know your reason and purpose for learning and how useful it will be.
