Umbrella Corporation
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- Nov 22, 2011
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Time to decide: French vs German
- Thread starter Umbrella Corporation
- Start date
My mother was born in Germany and taught me a bit. Only certain providences in Canada speak French. I wouldn't say either are harder to learn than the other. If I were to pick, I'd rather be fluent in German than French, I think. Just my opinion.
ardley216
Elite Member
- Mar 28, 2008
- 2,389
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My mother is fluent in both languages, but I find german to be such an 'ugly' language. French on the other hand is a beautiful language, it flows off the tongue. I want to learn French, but only on a personal level.
If I were to learn a new language for monetary gain, Chinese. Simple.
If I were to learn a new language for monetary gain, Chinese. Simple.
HoNeYBiRD
Elite Member
- May 1, 2009
- 10,187
- 12,580
learn French, it's a lot nicer language
not talking about the fact, if you speak French, you can learn Spanish and Italian very easily
and if you're planning to go to Canada, you'll definitely need the French and not the German
"The most widely spoken mother tongue in the EU is German, while 51% of adults can understand English. French is an official language common to the three cities that are political centres of the Union: Brussels (Belgium), Strasbourg (France) and Luxembourg city (Luxembourg)"
not talking about the fact, if you speak French, you can learn Spanish and Italian very easily
and if you're planning to go to Canada, you'll definitely need the French and not the German
"The most widely spoken mother tongue in the EU is German, while 51% of adults can understand English. French is an official language common to the three cities that are political centres of the Union: Brussels (Belgium), Strasbourg (France) and Luxembourg city (Luxembourg)"
Umbrella Corporation
Newbie
- Nov 22, 2011
- 43
- 98
Yeah I know only certain provinces in Canada speak French. I was only talking from an immigration point of view. French helps in immigration to Quebec.
I don't want to go to China. Want to experience the other side of the world.
lancis
Elite Member
- Jul 31, 2010
- 1,682
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Then definitely French.
brainstorm1
Senior Member
- Jan 13, 2012
- 889
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I learned both.
German is a much more "fun" language in my opinion, which is totally the opposite of most cliche images. I loved German and it is an important language in Europe. Not only in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, but in most of central and eastern Europe as well. They mostly speak German (knowing it helped me more in Slovakia and Poland than when I visited Germany/Austria) over French.
In the whole world you'll have better luck with French. They were better colonizers.
If you're looking for ease so that you can spend more time on IM/school then I would suggest German. The language is tough, but it is very similar to English (but Germanic languages).
Best of luck
German is a much more "fun" language in my opinion, which is totally the opposite of most cliche images. I loved German and it is an important language in Europe. Not only in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, but in most of central and eastern Europe as well. They mostly speak German (knowing it helped me more in Slovakia and Poland than when I visited Germany/Austria) over French.
In the whole world you'll have better luck with French. They were better colonizers.
If you're looking for ease so that you can spend more time on IM/school then I would suggest German. The language is tough, but it is very similar to English (but Germanic languages).
Best of luck
partymarty4870
Elite Member
- Jul 7, 2010
- 2,032
- 1,697
As someone with absolutely no ability to learn/speak foreign languages, and who was forced to study both of them in high school for a few years, I will add that german was way easier for me as a native english speaker.
(I failed them both, but almost managed a pass in german whereas I was nowhere near it in French.)
(I failed them both, but almost managed a pass in german whereas I was nowhere near it in French.)
On top of that it's even the official language in Germany... Who would've thought that?
I would go with German, maybe I'm biased since I am German haha. But if you want to work in Finance... Frankfurt, Germany...
Switzerland...
Lot more opportunities than you will have in France or Quebec imho.
Cookiehunter
Registered Member
- Nov 8, 2008
- 80
- 49
I speak German & French, and lived in Germany (but not France) - here are some facts about Germans you should consider before spending time (&money) on learning the language:
It takes an AWFUL long time to learn German PROPERLY...it is complicated,and has lot's of accents, which means you won't understand everybody you meet.
And with a "broken" pronounciation Germans will most likely look down on you (not because they are nasty or racism, but becaus ethey have an old immigration problem with the turks *g*)
On the other hand, being an occupied country, they are USED to be spoken at & "being dominated" in English, which makes English a language of authority - especially in the business world it is an unspoken law that a foreign language is spoken, and german is considered as provincial!
Long story short, don't learn German, ad French to your repertoire! The French are a COMPLETE different bunch of folks so to say...they are proud of their language & their nation, and appreciate HIGHLY if someone makes the effort to talk french (and hate being chatted to in other languages) almost no-one will offer you to talk english (or other languages) anyway.
Apart from (half of) Canada, you have still lots of ex-colonies too!
German Pros:
1) Widely used in European countries. So what? Everone with half a brain can & WANTS to speak english anyway!
Official language in Switzerland and Austria. Half of Switzerlands Centres speak French anyway (Lucern & Geneve), and they dont like the Germans! And Austria? ..good God,I almost forgot that something like it exists; surely not in Business! Apart from producing immigrant politicians (Schwarzenegger,Hitler etc) and good food, they produce nothing - and know it
There are many German MNCs like Deutsch Bank, Siemens, SAP, Oracle with good job opportunities. In each of these you mention it's common to speak ENGLISH - they wouldnt even hire someone (for a decent important position) if he/she can't speak english...so,no german needed!
2) I think German IM market is bigger than the French IM market. Is this true?
No idea, but who cares: half the web speaks english anyway. You alway can have your copy and site translated if you want to approach foreign markets.
3) Decent learning infrastructure in my city. Goethe-Institut is here. ...of course, but,they are everywhere they tell you german is an important language..it's not. But they make money from it
4) English in slight German accent sounds great. Uber authoritative. in a way yes, but for that gadget you don't want to study so hard...and the accent can be mistaken for scandinavian as well.
Con:
Have heard German is a tough language. Indeed. Learn FRENCH
- Germans learn ENGLISH as a FIRST languange, from the age of 10... even the ex-East-Germans (who had russian behind the wall)
- Germany was (and still is) occupied by the allies,which where lead by USA, so everything, even the Business sector, is americanized (or nicer:"anglisiert")
It takes an AWFUL long time to learn German PROPERLY...it is complicated,and has lot's of accents, which means you won't understand everybody you meet.
And with a "broken" pronounciation Germans will most likely look down on you (not because they are nasty or racism, but becaus ethey have an old immigration problem with the turks *g*)
On the other hand, being an occupied country, they are USED to be spoken at & "being dominated" in English, which makes English a language of authority - especially in the business world it is an unspoken law that a foreign language is spoken, and german is considered as provincial!
Long story short, don't learn German, ad French to your repertoire!
The French are a COMPLETE different bunch of folks so to say...they are proud of their language & their nation, and appreciate HIGHLY if someone makes the effort to talk french (and hate being chatted to in other languages) almost no-one will offer you to talk english (or other languages) anyway. Apart from (half of) Canada, you have still lots of ex-colonies too!
German Pros:
1) Widely used in European countries. So what? Everone with half a brain can & WANTS to speak english anyway!
Official language in Switzerland and Austria. Half of Switzerlands Centres speak French anyway (Lucern & Geneve), and they dont like the Germans! And Austria?
..good God,I almost forgot that something like it exists; surely not in Business! Apart from producing immigrant politicians (Schwarzenegger,Hitler etc) and good food, they produce nothing - and know it There are many German MNCs like Deutsch Bank, Siemens, SAP, Oracle with good job opportunities. In each of these you mention it's common to speak ENGLISH - they wouldnt even hire someone (for a decent important position) if he/she can't speak english...so,no german needed!
2) I think German IM market is bigger than the French IM market. Is this true?
No idea, but who cares: half the web speaks english anyway. You alway can have your copy and site translated if you want to approach foreign markets.
3) Decent learning infrastructure in my city. Goethe-Institut is here. ...of course, but,they are everywhere
they tell you german is an important language..it's not. But they make money from it 4) English in slight German accent sounds great. Uber authoritative. in a way yes, but for that gadget you don't want to study so hard...and the accent can be mistaken for scandinavian as well.
Con:
Have heard German is a tough language. Indeed. Learn FRENCH
You seem to have some real problems with Germany and Germans in general lol
Sorry, but which company in Germany has this unwritten law that everybody speaks english? rofl
Yes, speaking english as a second language in an international business is def. required, but nobody speaks only english at work, this is completely untrue.
BTW... I am not used to being "dominated" in english, wtf are you talking there? And Germany is still occupied by the allies? What? Dude... seriously?
Also I know of no Germans that look down on you when you don't speak the language properly, not different than in any other country.
I feel a bit sorry for you if these were your impressions in Germany, or maybe you just want to believe what you are saying there? Who knows... Most of it is complete BS, sorry.
Sorry, but which company in Germany has this unwritten law that everybody speaks english? rofl
Yes, speaking english as a second language in an international business is def. required, but nobody speaks only english at work, this is completely untrue.
BTW... I am not used to being "dominated" in english, wtf are you talking there? And Germany is still occupied by the allies? What? Dude... seriously?
Also I know of no Germans that look down on you when you don't speak the language properly, not different than in any other country.
I feel a bit sorry for you if these were your impressions in Germany, or maybe you just want to believe what you are saying there? Who knows... Most of it is complete BS, sorry.
Umbrella Corporation
Newbie
- Nov 22, 2011
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What the hell is that !!!??
Winchester
BANNED
- May 5, 2010
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As someone who speaks both French and German fluently I can tell you German will be far easier to learn if you know English.
As someone living in Canada, I can tell you that unless you plan to get a job with our government, or live solely in Quebec then you don't really need the French - however it is always a nice asset.
Germany is also a much better market place for online business than french in my opinion. However, having been all over this world I can tell you that Canada is a hell of a place to live and there is no other place I'd rather lay down my hat to start a future in than here.
Best of luck on your journeys
As someone living in Canada, I can tell you that unless you plan to get a job with our government, or live solely in Quebec then you don't really need the French - however it is always a nice asset.
Germany is also a much better market place for online business than french in my opinion. However, having been all over this world I can tell you that Canada is a hell of a place to live and there is no other place I'd rather lay down my hat to start a future in than here.
Best of luck on your journeys
SilverSultan
Regular Member
- Jul 7, 2011
- 293
- 122
What The United States was not even considered? I am sad
The economy here is picking up, and we have great IT and tech companies also
The economy here is picking up, and we have great IT and tech companies also