French or Spanish?

[slwhiddon]

This is Shelley from Jabberu - we get this question a lot - here's what I ususally tell people:
For young children (I don't think we know the age of OP's child) no language is harder to learn than another; the young brain is wired to learn language. One possible way to help make the decision is to ask yourself which language you'd be most excited about your child learning if the child is too young to express a specific interest. If you're excited about the language learning process, your child will pick up on that. Or is there a language that you have some background with? You may feel more comfortable reinforcing one language over another, at home.

A couple of other things to keep in mind - some of which other posters have mentioned. Learning a language at a young age makes learning other languages later in life easier. Learning a language opens other doors in addition to future careers - travel opportunities, friendships, interntional study.

In short - I don't think you'll regret either decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:23:46 Spanish is also spoken in Spain. Spanish versus French: Double the speakers worldwide, 400 m. versus 200 m. Much more Spanish spoken in the U.S. in large cities. Not clear why you'd study a language only if you though you wanted to live someplace where it's spoken. It's hard to live in Ancient Rome these days but Latin instruction is resurgent in the U.S.

Because we want DC to have the option of living elsewhere, in another country when he grows up. And because it's not out of the realm of possibility for us to move to a different country. And I'm fairly certain we are not likely to live in latin america.

What if we/he choose to live in Europe? What is the most commonly spoken language in Europe? I was told that the Spanish spoken in Spain is different than the Spanish spoken in Latin American countries. No? French is spoken in France as well as in Switzerland btw.

Yes, I can see that the ability to speak spanish is very valuable for those jobs where the applicant must come in contact with the spanish-speaking population. Don't want to reveal my job, but I have zero contact with the spanish-speaking population. But I am thinking also of other occupations where I question whether it's ever going to be necessray for them to speak spanish - neurologists, plastic surgeons, CEO's, university professor, patent or corporate lawyer, physicist, aernonautical engineer, etc..too many to list. How likely is it that spanish will be a real requirement for these type of occupations?

[Anonymous]

Fwiw, my husband's an engineer and has several clients in France (English is spoken but speaking/reading French is an advantage). Also, I'm an attorney at a large law firm, and Spanish would be extremely helpful for my paid-client (as well as pro bono) work if I spoke AND read/wrote it.

My kids are studying the language that happened to be the one taught (immersion) in their school district. That is how I picked between the two.

[Anonymous]

I would study Chinese before either language, but given the two on the table, Spanish hands down for the reasons already articulated.

[Anonymous]

Another thing to consider is that the process of learning and using multiple languages aids in one's ability to multi task. It doesn't necessarily matter which language, but having the capacity to switch between languages fosters your ability to switch between different tasks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
What if we/he choose to live in Europe? What is the most commonly spoken language in Europe? I was told that the Spanish spoken in Spain is different than the Spanish spoken in Latin American countries. No? French is spoken in France as well as in Switzerland btw.

The Spanish spoken in Spain is a little different from Spanish spoken in various parts of Latin American (there are also differences between the countries in Latin America, e.g., Argentina vs. Mexico) but not very much. As an adult student of Spanish, I have no problem understanding it. In my experience, my classes and textbooks have covered some of these differences. I find the Spanish of Spain to be more similar to Mexican Spanish than, say, Argentinian Spanish, which I have a harder time understanding.

As far as the most commonly spoken second language in Europe, I'm betting that's English. Of course, that's not what you were asking but it is something I think about. Just for the purposes of speculation, it would be interesting to figure out what would be the most useful language to learn to get by in Europe given that many Europeans study English from an early age. What would cover the most bases? That means what country has a largish population but has a population that is the less likely to study English? I have no clue. Maybe Italy? Maybe Spain? Any thoughts out there?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:23:46 Spanish is also spoken in Spain. Spanish versus French: Double the speakers worldwide, 400 m. versus 200 m. Much more Spanish spoken in the U.S. in large cities. Not clear why you'd study a language only if you though you wanted to live someplace where it's spoken. It's hard to live in Ancient Rome these days but Latin instruction is resurgent in the U.S.

Because we want DC to have the option of living elsewhere, in another country when he grows up. And because it's not out of the realm of possibility for us to move to a different country. And I'm fairly certain we are not likely to live in latin america.

What if we/he choose to live in Europe? What is the most commonly spoken language in Europe? I was told that the Spanish spoken in Spain is different than the Spanish spoken in Latin American countries. No? French is spoken in France as well as in Switzerland btw.

Yes, I can see that the ability to speak spanish is very valuable for those jobs where the applicant must come in contact with the spanish-speaking population. Don't want to reveal my job, but I have zero contact with the spanish-speaking population. But I am thinking also of other occupations where I question whether it's ever going to be necessray for them to speak spanish - neurologists, plastic surgeons, CEO's, university professor, patent or corporate lawyer, physicist, aernonautical engineer, etc..too many to list. How likely is it that spanish will be a real requirement for these type of occupations?

Learning a second language is not just about increasing professional opportunities, though. At least not in my opinion. If learned early enough, it can have a positive impact on intellectual growth. Knowing other languages also gives you a unique insight into other cultures that I don't think is possible otherwise.

In addition, if you just generally love language, reading, poetry, etc., you realize that reading something in the original language is ten times more beautiful and profound than the greatest translation of it. Imagine that you are a native Arabic speaker (as my husband is), for example. Reading Shakespeare in Arabic means reducing him to dust. It just doesn't work. You have to know English to truly get the genius. My husband adores Shakespeare now (after many years of speaking English himself). Something he never would have gotten to enjoy otherwise. On the flip side, I'd love to read Naguib Mafouz's works in the original Arabic, but I'm sure I'll never be good enough.

[Anonymous]

I never said that it was the only reason I will encourage DC to learn add'l languages, but professional opportunities is one big reason.

To the lawyer, do you mind me asking - what type of law do you practice? I know a patent and corporate lawyer and these areas, like some others, seem to have no contact with the spanish speaking pop.

But again, my feeling is that DC will probably end up in a occupation that has virtually no contact w the spanish speaking population. DH and I probably are just not very interested in learning about the cultures of latin america either. Yes, there are many spanish speaking people here. But its okay to not be interested in their language or culture right?

But I would like DC to learn a number of other languages - chinese, french, ...

[Anonymous]

Different lawyer here. Today, in 2009, an attorney wanting to do international trade and corporate transactions would want to try Mandarin, which is also easier for small children to learn because of the tonal system. I know three lawyers who made it big because they were the only people in their firms who were fluent in Mandarin. And interestingly, in 2009, ,there are more attorneys in DC than in Asia. That is today- who knows 20 years from now? Of course there is trade work dealing with Latin America as well.

On the other hand, as a public interest / government advocacy lawyer, I see far more opportunities for a Spanish speaker: in legal services, DC government, and in congressional offices where the congressperson represents a district with a large Spanish-speaking population. If I had to guess, this demand will remain or even increase.

French is a beautiful language. I speak it, I love it, I enjoy the poetry and novels (though there is wonderful literature in the other languages too, of course). I haven't found it useful except as its own skill or when I am lucky enough to visit France or Quebec.

There are many reasons to learn a language. Our daughter does Spanish immersion; my second choice would have been Mandarin for usefulness/interest, but I don't speak it and can't "wing it" as I can with Spanish," so we are pleased with SPanish.

A second language is a gift to any child (or adult). You cannot go wrong. If you happen to speak French and can share that with your child, I would not keep that out of the equation.

[Anonymous]

Here's a question - my child will be starting K and will need to choose either Spanish OR French within the next 2 years. His school offers both starting in K.

I'd like him to learn another language, or even 2, down the road, maybe starting in 4th grade or so.

Which one should we start with, Spanish or French (assuming he'd start lessons in the other when he's 10 or so)? I'm leaning toward starting with French because I think it's more difficult, and later taking Spanish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I never said that it was the only reason I will encourage DC to learn add'l languages, but professional opportunities is one big reason.

To the lawyer, do you mind me asking - what type of law do you practice? I know a patent and corporate lawyer and these areas, like some others, seem to have no contact with the spanish speaking pop.

But again, my feeling is that DC will probably end up in a occupation that has virtually no contact w the spanish speaking population. DH and I probably are just not very interested in learning about the cultures of latin america either. Yes, there are many spanish speaking people here. But its okay to not be interested in their language or culture right?

But I would like DC to learn a number of other languages - chinese, french, ...

But your kid may be interested. Might even marry into a predominately Spanish-speaking family. In any case, I think learning any other language at a young age is a great opportunity, doesn't matter the language. My husband speaks four fluently, but of course only started with one additional. He picked up the others along the way. Learning early gives you a big advantage in being able to pick up additional ones, IMO.

[Anonymous]

To the lawyer, do you mind me asking - what type of law do you practice? I know a patent and corporate lawyer and these areas, like some others, seem to have no contact with the spanish speaking pop.

Answer: labor and employment

[Anonymous]

20 of US elementary and high school kids are hispanic. I want my children to be able to speak to their fellow citizens-- and to the countless Spanish-speaking non-citizens on who help keep our country going. If you have no contact with our country's large (and rapidly growing) spanish-speaking population, you're leading a sheltered life....

[Anonymous]

I have done a lot of international travel for my job and have found lack of Spanish to be a problem. I speak a little French but typically in the french speaking countries I have been in English is widely spoken. That has not been the case for many of the Spanish speaking countries. So for that reason I'd go with Spanish.

[Anonymous]

While it is true that more people in the world speak Spanish, speaking French has greater career potential. It is the official language of the diplomatic (not English!), lots of international economic groups and international organizations such as the Olympics. When we were faced with deciding which language to select for our child, I asked my State Department clients (diplomats) which they would choose. They all said "French."

With any language, consider the long-term potential rather than just the sheer numbers. Numbers don't mean anything unless you can find a career speaking a language that will allow you to earn the income you desire. Just look at the huge demand for people who speak Arabic.