View Full Version : Best language to learn
Jensen139
10-07-09, 08:25 PM
Given our current conflicts overseas, what do you think would be the best language to learn. I've always liked other languages and have all the rosetta stone languages and am curious as to which language would be best suited for todays conflicts. They offer 30 languages but the ones that stand out are
Arabic
Pashto
Persian (Farsi)
Thank you Marines.
commdog7
10-07-09, 08:36 PM
I would go with Arabic if I were you. It is spoken in many different countries all around the world, and particularly with the conflicts in the Middle-East, it would be a very useful language to learn. Even out here in Ireland I see Arabic... it would be nice to know what it means.
temarti
10-08-09, 09:45 AM
Arabic for your current language, if in the future and you decide to make a career doing something else in business, Chinese or Japanese are always in high demand.
Phantom Blooper
10-08-09, 10:08 AM
Best language to learn
ENGLISH!
No I would have to agree...Arabic.:evilgrin:
1stRad2671
10-08-09, 08:23 PM
Coming from an Arabic linguist, of those, Pashto.
Or Dari if it's available. There are very few non-native speakers of those languages.
well, Persian (Farsi) is the most popular language in Afghanistan. Pashto is a close second. So given that, I'd go with Persian (Farsi). Thats what I just ordered tonight. I've got 7 months to learn as much as I can lol. I hope Rosetta Stone is as good as they say they are!
Sgt Leprechaun
12-12-09, 12:05 AM
Go with what Sgt 1stRad advises...he's BTDT and got the Tshirt for sure.
jackson07
12-12-09, 09:22 AM
Coming from an Arabic linguist, of those, Pashto.
Or Dari if it's available. There are very few non-native speakers of those languages.
As a former ling, and friend to many current lings, the above statment is correct.
Well the flip side of that is Obama wants us out of AF in 18 months. If you can get proficient at Pashto in 18 months, you are the sh*t! My unit is pushing pashto classes, and they are tough. Arabic, I think, is the most widely spoken language in the world (but MSA is not spoken that well by rural folks). So it can never hurt to know it. But like others said...Pashto, Dari, Farsi have a small group of US speakers so you will be in demand. If you want to do other government or contract work post-military obligations, I would go with Pashto or Dari.
When September 11th happened, I think there were only two Dari speakers in all of the CIA's DO...at least that's what I read in a book.
CplGiraffe
12-13-09, 06:33 PM
Well, anything that is spoken in Afghanistan would be helpful to you.
-Pashto
-Dari
-Farsi (Persian)
Farsi is also spoken in Iran which could be useful. Pashto is spoken in part of Pakistan which could be helpful. Pashto is not spoken by many people at all, whereas Farsi is spoken by more and more widely used.
I would suggest Farsi. With Farsi after becoming fluent you can probably test out in Dari also, or take a conversion course and become proficient in Dari fairly quickly. As far as Pashto goes, don't use Rosetta Stone to learn it because Rosetta Stones Pashto program isn't correct. A lot of the words are wrong in it.
BTW I am a linguist so that is how I know.
tangovictor87
12-13-09, 06:49 PM
The "northern" dialect of Korean:evilgrin:
Donut Brigade
12-13-09, 08:32 PM
I get paid $300/month for Russian.
I get paid $300/month for Russian.
Tell you what, people in Afghanistan who were alive in the 70's-80's will definitely respond to stuff yelled at them in Russian!
Well, anything that is spoken in Afghanistan would be helpful to you.
-Pashto
-Dari
-Farsi (Persian)
Farsi is also spoken in Iran which could be useful. Pashto is spoken in part of Pakistan which could be helpful. Pashto is not spoken by many people at all, whereas Farsi is spoken by more and more widely used.
I would suggest Farsi. With Farsi after becoming fluent you can probably test out in Dari also, or take a conversion course and become proficient in Dari fairly quickly. As far as Pashto goes, don't use Rosetta Stone to learn it because Rosetta Stones Pashto program isn't correct. A lot of the words are wrong in it.
BTW I am a linguist so that is how I know.
I just saw that Marine Net has Pashto earlier today....with that recommendation I won't waste my time with it. Thanks.
CplGiraffe
12-13-09, 09:43 PM
If you want to learn Pashto there are some ways to learn it, you can PM me if you are interested....however if you aren't a Marine, you can't use the resources.
sparkie
12-14-09, 07:35 AM
It would be good to learn Spanish, if you drop, and end up in fast food.
MOS, 1369,,,, Burgerflipper.
jackson07
12-14-09, 08:56 AM
It would be good to learn Spanish, if you drop, and end up in fast food.
MOS, 1369,,,, Burgerflipper.
The Marine Corps/DOD actually has a rather large spanish mission for linguists.
lavgunman
12-14-09, 10:02 AM
French is always a good option. It is the second language of NATO. English being the primary.
My buddy spent a little over a year FAPD out to a SOUTHCOM mission all over South America. He was a fluent Spanish speaker and also learned Portuguese while there (and tested out in it). French is also good as it is widely spoken in Africa....you could fight pirates!
CplGiraffe
12-14-09, 01:53 PM
This is true. The Marine Corps has Spanish linguists, however if you can't test at 3/3 which native speakers often can't test at the Marine Corps don't care about you knowing Spanish. If anything, learn a language that has pay associated to it because if they don't pay they probably don't want it.
Rocky C
12-14-09, 03:06 PM
The International Language.
M.O.N.E.Y. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
jackson07
12-14-09, 03:09 PM
This is true. The Marine Corps has Spanish linguists, however if you can't test at 3/3 which native speakers often can't test at the Marine Corps don't care about you knowing Spanish. If anything, learn a language that has pay associated to it because if they don't pay they probably don't want it.
You haven't been at DLI too long have you? Do you know why most native spanish speakers cant score a 3/3? Or any other native speaker of any language for that matter.
Donut Brigade
12-14-09, 08:57 PM
You haven't been at DLI too long have you? Do you know why most native spanish speakers cant score a 3/3? Or any other native speaker of any language for that matter.
True, I've been speaking and reading Russian for 19 years, scored 2+ and 2+.
terminator
01-17-10, 11:23 PM
Coming from an Arabic linguist, of those, Pashto.
Or Dari if it's available. There are very few non-native speakers of those languages.
Sgt is absolutely correct i am going through school to be a linguist and pashto is the highest in demand it is a very difficult school and it is an excellent opportunity for a career after the corps
TinDragon
01-18-10, 06:46 AM
Well, I think I saw Japanese listed one already... since we have a lot of bases in Japan, probably couldn't hurt to learn Japanese.
We also have a sizable force in the Philippines, so learning Tagalog might also be kinda cool.
Of course, you probably want to go with a Middle Eastern language for full effectiveness, but if those languages turn up too difficult or boring, there's a couple alternatives for you.
Old Marine
01-18-10, 10:07 AM
It would be good to learn Spanish, if you drop, and end up in fast food.
MOS, 1369,,,, Burgerflipper.
This is a good idea since we are presently at war with Mexico.:evilgrin:
haebyungdae
01-24-10, 07:25 AM
If you are not going to join with the goal of becoming a linguist then try one of the middle eastern dialects; Pashto , Dari, etc. Those could help get you extra money (if you can test high enough) and would be the most beneficial to the unit you would end up going to. Languages like Japanese, Spanish, French, etc etc would benefit you or possibly your unit/mission only in select circumstances. If your goal is to become a linguist then by all means have it learning whatever you want, but know that the Marines Corps decides what language is good for you (in most circumstances). Just listen to any information that 1stRAD2671 gives out, he would be the resident expert here.