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Japanese or Arabic with my Uni course ?
Hi
As part of my university degree, I have been suggested to take a language class. I think this is a great idea, as my ambition is to become an international lawyer. There are several languages on offer at my uni, the ones interesting me being japanese, arabic, russian and spanish.
I already know japanese to an a-level standard, so a part of me is quite hesitant about it, even though i loved studying it. My plan was also to study japanese in my own time and to take the JLPT test in my spare time as an extra qualification. I can speak basic arabic too, so i wonder if i need a qualification in this if i can teach myself ?
I like the idea of russian and spanish, but i dont see when i will ever use it in real life, in comparison to japanese or arabic....
so does anyone want to suggest what would be the best language to take, both for enjoyment and the future ?
thanks
As part of my university degree, I have been suggested to take a language class. I think this is a great idea, as my ambition is to become an international lawyer. There are several languages on offer at my uni, the ones interesting me being japanese, arabic, russian and spanish.
I already know japanese to an a-level standard, so a part of me is quite hesitant about it, even though i loved studying it. My plan was also to study japanese in my own time and to take the JLPT test in my spare time as an extra qualification. I can speak basic arabic too, so i wonder if i need a qualification in this if i can teach myself ?
I like the idea of russian and spanish, but i dont see when i will ever use it in real life, in comparison to japanese or arabic....
so does anyone want to suggest what would be the best language to take, both for enjoyment and the future ?
thanks
Arabic by far, a great culture,330 million people speak arabic more than japenese, also better job prosepcts as lots of arabic speaking white people needed lol like in businesses and goverment organisations.hope it helps
First of all, as you're considering taking Arabic, I suggest you read this post, and it will hopefully open your eyes on the Arabic myth. Arabic would be good if you specialised in Shari'a Law, but else, well, I can't really see the point. Evening classes really won't get you far, and are likely to just eat up your time, given how challenging a language it is. Although you already have studied Japanese, which isn't easy, I do believe Arabic will be a level above, and it's often soul-destroying. You'll also end up with a vague knowlege of Modern Standard Arabic, which means when (if!) you get out there, you'll have to learn a whole new Arabic, as dialects are rather different, and although MSA helps you grasping dialects, they are different enough for you to be completely lost when talking to locals. I found myself having to translate what an Algerian wanted to say to a Palestinian because they couldn't understand each other.
It definitely isn't impossible, but Arabic is definitely a language you should choose to get a degree in, if you want to be able to speak a bit of it. 4 years don't even get you that far, and I'd imagine evening classes would cover even less. You might also want to consider the fact that international organisations like the UN prefer to hire native speakers than people having Arabic as their second or third language.
Russian, on the other hand, is easier, far more rewarding, and you can hope to reach a better level in it with evening classes. The UN are currently looking for Russian (and French) speakers, and Russia is heavily involved in commercial trade with Europe. The Russian you learn is also the actual spoken Russian, so you don't get bad surprises when you get there. I'm also pretty sure they trade far more with Japan than the Middle East does, so you might also want to take that into account.
One last question, given your project of international lawyer, am I right to assume that you already have a good command of French? Because if you don't, then you should probably go for that one over any other, given how important it is. It's the second diplomatic language after English, it's often the chosen language of the UN or the EU when English is not an option, and I honestly think it would be a mistake not to have at least a vague knowledge of it (by vague, I mean A-Level level).
I must admit I have troubles understanding how you can think Spanish might be less useful than Japanese or Arabic in real life, but I guess it depends on your own projects. That said, I can't see many links between Arabic and Japanese, and I do believe Russian (or even Spanish, but you just teach yourself that one, if needed) would be more useful.
It definitely isn't impossible, but Arabic is definitely a language you should choose to get a degree in, if you want to be able to speak a bit of it. 4 years don't even get you that far, and I'd imagine evening classes would cover even less. You might also want to consider the fact that international organisations like the UN prefer to hire native speakers than people having Arabic as their second or third language.
Russian, on the other hand, is easier, far more rewarding, and you can hope to reach a better level in it with evening classes. The UN are currently looking for Russian (and French) speakers, and Russia is heavily involved in commercial trade with Europe. The Russian you learn is also the actual spoken Russian, so you don't get bad surprises when you get there. I'm also pretty sure they trade far more with Japan than the Middle East does, so you might also want to take that into account.
One last question, given your project of international lawyer, am I right to assume that you already have a good command of French? Because if you don't, then you should probably go for that one over any other, given how important it is. It's the second diplomatic language after English, it's often the chosen language of the UN or the EU when English is not an option, and I honestly think it would be a mistake not to have at least a vague knowledge of it (by vague, I mean A-Level level).
I must admit I have troubles understanding how you can think Spanish might be less useful than Japanese or Arabic in real life, but I guess it depends on your own projects. That said, I can't see many links between Arabic and Japanese, and I do believe Russian (or even Spanish, but you just teach yourself that one, if needed) would be more useful.
Anatheme
(...)
I'm so sorry for hijacking this thread, but I really liked what you said! I've been thinking of taking either Japanese, Spanish or Russian in university. However, I have realised that given the relative ease/availability of resources for the first two languages, (and as evidenced from the fact that I AM already coping with the two languages by myself) I should be able to learn it outside university. I initially wanted Arabic as well, but I have come across similar articles to the one you've posted and I decided against it in the end.
Guess it's Russian for me then
Anatheme
First of all, as you're considering taking Arabic, I suggest you read this post, and it will hopefully open your eyes on the Arabic myth. Arabic would be good if you specialised in Shari'a Law, but else, well, I can't really see the point. Evening classes really won't get you far, and are likely to just eat up your time, given how challenging a language it is. Although you already have studied Japanese, which isn't easy, I do believe Arabic will be a level above, and it's often soul-destroying. You'll also end up with a vague knowlege of Modern Standard Arabic, which means when (if!) you get out there, you'll have to learn a whole new Arabic, as dialects are rather different, and although MSA helps you grasping dialects, they are different enough for you to be completely lost when talking to locals. I found myself having to translate what an Algerian wanted to say to a Palestinian because they couldn't understand each other.
It definitely isn't impossible, but Arabic is definitely a language you should choose to get a degree in, if you want to be able to speak a bit of it. 4 years don't even get you that far, and I'd imagine evening classes would cover even less. You might also want to consider the fact that international organisations like the UN prefer to hire native speakers than people having Arabic as their second or third language.
Russian, on the other hand, is easier, far more rewarding, and you can hope to reach a better level in it with evening classes. The UN are currently looking for Russian (and French) speakers, and Russia is heavily involved in commercial trade with Europe. The Russian you learn is also the actual spoken Russian, so you don't get bad surprises when you get there. I'm also pretty sure they trade far more with Japan than the Middle East does, so you might also want to take that into account.
One last question, given your project of international lawyer, am I right to assume that you already have a good command of French? Because if you don't, then you should probably go for that one over any other, given how important it is. It's the second diplomatic language after English, it's often the chosen language of the UN or the EU when English is not an option, and I honestly think it would be a mistake not to have at least a vague knowledge of it (by vague, I mean A-Level level).
I must admit I have troubles understanding how you can think Spanish might be less useful than Japanese or Arabic in real life, but I guess it depends on your own projects. That said, I can't see many links between Arabic and Japanese, and I do believe Russian (or even Spanish, but you just teach yourself that one, if needed) would be more useful.
It definitely isn't impossible, but Arabic is definitely a language you should choose to get a degree in, if you want to be able to speak a bit of it. 4 years don't even get you that far, and I'd imagine evening classes would cover even less. You might also want to consider the fact that international organisations like the UN prefer to hire native speakers than people having Arabic as their second or third language.
Russian, on the other hand, is easier, far more rewarding, and you can hope to reach a better level in it with evening classes. The UN are currently looking for Russian (and French) speakers, and Russia is heavily involved in commercial trade with Europe. The Russian you learn is also the actual spoken Russian, so you don't get bad surprises when you get there. I'm also pretty sure they trade far more with Japan than the Middle East does, so you might also want to take that into account.
One last question, given your project of international lawyer, am I right to assume that you already have a good command of French? Because if you don't, then you should probably go for that one over any other, given how important it is. It's the second diplomatic language after English, it's often the chosen language of the UN or the EU when English is not an option, and I honestly think it would be a mistake not to have at least a vague knowledge of it (by vague, I mean A-Level level).
I must admit I have troubles understanding how you can think Spanish might be less useful than Japanese or Arabic in real life, but I guess it depends on your own projects. That said, I can't see many links between Arabic and Japanese, and I do believe Russian (or even Spanish, but you just teach yourself that one, if needed) would be more useful.
The language course runs along side my degree so it is pretty much an additional module,rather than an evening class. Though I agree with you on arabic. I speak very little, but I have had several issues in Syria when noone understood what i was saying as it was too formal. Russian looks really interesting and i am tempted, and i am adequate at french to a GCSE level....so perhaps thats worth looking into as well.... Japanese is the lowest priority, mainly because i studied it for 7 years and to get a formal qualification, i might as well take the JLPT.
Anatheme
....
I am sorry but I do not agree with all of what you posted. There are many other ways to study Arabic without a degree. Also the comment you made about NGO's and the UN. I am currently working for an NGO in the Middle East and the fact that I had Arabic as a second language was a huge benefit. In fact I was chosen over people who had Arabic as a native language and English fluency.
I am sorry but I have read some of your other posts and you say that you have done less well in Arabic and found it generally harder. Please don't let this bias your advice.
Arabic is a beautiful language, but as Anatheme says it will take more than evening classes...a lot more. There is the degree route, although I am not sure where I stand on that. Or you can go abroad to a Middle Eastern country for a year and study Modern Standard Arabic in a school, and learn a local dialect at the same time.
Good luck with whatever you choose.
Anatheme, this post is not meant to offend just offer a different opinion. Good luck with all your language studies! I am infinitely jealous that you had the chance to do two.
I think you should pick whichever one you enjoy most, but I agree with Anatheme that you should probably be studying French, just for pure usefulness - I'm sure if you would find yourself using it a lot more in your job than Arabic. If you are capable of studying Japanese well on your own (which you seem to be) then you might as well just continue doing that.
beefmaster
I am sorry but I do not agree with all of what you posted. There are many other ways to study Arabic without a degree. Also the comment you made about NGO's and the UN. I am currently working for an NGO in the Middle East and the fact that I had Arabic as a second language was a huge benefit. In fact I was chosen over people who had Arabic as a native language and English fluency.
I am sorry but I have read some of your other posts and you say that you have done less well in Arabic and found it generally harder. Please don't let this bias your advice.
Arabic is a beautiful language, but as Anatheme says it will take more than evening classes...a lot more. There is the degree route, although I am not sure where I stand on that. Or you can go abroad to a Middle Eastern country for a year and study Modern Standard Arabic in a school, and learn a local dialect at the same time.
Good luck with whatever you choose.
Anatheme, this post is not meant to offend just offer a different opinion. Good luck with all your language studies! I am infinitely jealous that you had the chance to do two.
I am sorry but I have read some of your other posts and you say that you have done less well in Arabic and found it generally harder. Please don't let this bias your advice.
Arabic is a beautiful language, but as Anatheme says it will take more than evening classes...a lot more. There is the degree route, although I am not sure where I stand on that. Or you can go abroad to a Middle Eastern country for a year and study Modern Standard Arabic in a school, and learn a local dialect at the same time.
Good luck with whatever you choose.
Anatheme, this post is not meant to offend just offer a different opinion. Good luck with all your language studies! I am infinitely jealous that you had the chance to do two.
I agree that arabic is beautiful, and Syria is pretty much like a second home for me (metaphorically) which has attracted me to arabic, though russian seems really exciting, but perhaps french is more useful. I probably wont take a japanese module as i am already proficient and will just take the JLPT if necessary. AHH I really dont know, they all sound so great!
beefmaster
I am sorry but I do not agree with all of what you posted. There are many other ways to study Arabic without a degree. Also the comment you made about NGO's and the UN. I am currently working for an NGO in the Middle East and the fact that I had Arabic as a second language was a huge benefit. In fact I was chosen over people who had Arabic as a native language and English fluency.
I am sorry but I have read some of your other posts and you say that you have done less well in Arabic and found it generally harder. Please don't let this bias your advice.
Arabic is a beautiful language, but as Anatheme says it will take more than evening classes...a lot more. There is the degree route, although I am not sure where I stand on that. Or you can go abroad to a Middle Eastern country for a year and study Modern Standard Arabic in a school, and learn a local dialect at the same time.
Good luck with whatever you choose.
Anatheme, this post is not meant to offend just offer a different opinion. Good luck with all your language studies! I am infinitely jealous that you had the chance to do two.
I am sorry but I have read some of your other posts and you say that you have done less well in Arabic and found it generally harder. Please don't let this bias your advice.
Arabic is a beautiful language, but as Anatheme says it will take more than evening classes...a lot more. There is the degree route, although I am not sure where I stand on that. Or you can go abroad to a Middle Eastern country for a year and study Modern Standard Arabic in a school, and learn a local dialect at the same time.
Good luck with whatever you choose.
Anatheme, this post is not meant to offend just offer a different opinion. Good luck with all your language studies! I am infinitely jealous that you had the chance to do two.
By international organisations, I didn't mean NGOs, I've talked to quite a lot of interpreters, translators and people working for the UN and the UNESCO, and I've had a lot of feedback regarding those organisations tendencies to pick native speakers over English speakers. I'd imagine it'd, indeed, be different for NGOs, which is why I picked Arabic, but I don't think Arabic would really fit into the OP's project of being an international lawyer, and also that Russian or French would be more useful than Arabic in this case.
Don't worry about my finding it harder making me biased, if it did, my post would be a hell of a lot worse than this!
Arabic, but it's very difficult to learn, especially with all the accents.
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