Which language should I apply for?

**EricJ** · 10-29-2011, 07:49 PM

Hello,

So, I'm applying for a language-learning scholarship program. I'm only eligible to apply for some languages, all of which are ones I've had no previous interest in learning. I've narrowed that set down to a subset of three languages: Hindi, Turkish and Korean. Which should I learn? Why?

I have my own idea of the relative advantages of each, but I thought I'd get another perspective.

**Paji eh Wong** · 10-29-2011, 08:13 PM

	Originally Posted by EricJ To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Hello, So, I'm applying for a language-learning scholarship program. I'm only eligible to apply for some languages, all of which are ones I've had no previous interest in learning. I've narrowed that set down to a subset of three languages: Hindi, Turkish and Korean. Which should I learn? Why? I have my own idea of the relative advantages of each, but I thought I'd get another perspective.

My gut reaction is, don't do it.

Why waste your time on something you aren't interested in? Learning to speak a foreign language well is one of the most difficult things you can do. I've lived in Korea and China, and I know that the battlefield is littered with people who tried to learn the language and failed because they had the wrong motivation going in.

**froyo** · 10-29-2011, 08:33 PM

I suppose I'm with Paji. You can't do something you're not interested in. Also, those languages aren't terribly useful.

My personal thoughts on each language:
I would've say Hindi because it is the official language of India and India is a very large country that is becoming increasingly more developed alongside China. However, most Indians speak English especially those who are running the country.

South Korea is already a highly developed country but it's tiny thus limiting its importance in the world.

Turkish I have no idea about.

I vote for Korean with my limited knowledge.

**Still Standing** · 10-29-2011, 08:40 PM

I'd be curious to know which languages you eliminated in the process.

nacht · 10-29-2011, 09:25 PM

	Originally Posted by EricJ To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Hello, So, I'm applying for a language-learning scholarship program. I'm only eligible to apply for some languages, all of which are ones I've had no previous interest in learning. I've narrowed that set down to a subset of three languages: Hindi, Turkish and Korean. Which should I learn? Why? I have my own idea of the relative advantages of each, but I thought I'd get another perspective.

Which culture interests you the most?

**EricJ** · 10-30-2011, 02:34 AM

	Originally Posted by Still Standing To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	I'd be curious to know which languages you eliminated in the process.

Azerbaijani, Punjabi, Bengali/Bangla, Indonesian and Urdu

**Urshulgi** · 10-30-2011, 08:04 AM

Urdu or Turkish could give you a leg up if you ever want to apply for an intel job at one of the government agencies, or with the foreign service (state department).

Other than that, most of those languages are useless as hell, unless you have some overwhelming desire to live in the country that speaks them.

**Still Standing** · 10-30-2011, 08:05 AM

	Originally Posted by EricJ To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Azerbaijani, Punjabi, Bengali/Bangla, Indonesian and Urdu

LOL, okay... Then I'm with Paji on this. If you're not inherently interested and there's not much potential gain in learning any of these languages, why bother? If I absolutely had to choose, I guess I'd go with Hindi pretty much for the same reason many business people are learning Mandarin, but I'd always keep in mind that English is an official language in India and used by the most powerful/influencial people there. So while not being a requirement for business, knowing Hindi could be an appreciated gesture that would win you points in negotiations (if you have any interest in doing business with India, that is.)

**AureliaSeverina** · 10-30-2011, 08:08 AM

	Originally Posted by Still Standing To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	So while not being a requirement for business, knowing Hindi could be an appreciated gesture that would win you points in negotiations (if you have any interest in doing business with India, that is.)

On the other hand it might also backfire, because the elites want to be westernized and may prefer to speak English.

**EricJ** · 10-30-2011, 11:26 AM

I thought about going with Turkish because it might give me a leg up in the European job market, which is a major attraction for me. However, I think I've ultimately decided against applying for this program. It almost doesn't feel like its worth the time. It would be if I were eligible for one of the other languages offered—Chinese, Japanese, Russian and Arabic—all of which I have some interest in learning.

**Distance** · 10-30-2011, 11:40 AM

How do any of these languages fit into your long-term goals? Only you know.

But looking at world economics as they stand, Hindi might be the most advantageous in the future.

**EricJ** · 10-30-2011, 01:14 PM

	Originally Posted by Distance To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	How do any of these languages fit into your long-term goals? Only you know. But looking at world economics as they stand, Hindi might be the most advantageous in the future.

Well, they honestly don't, aside from Turkish. I mean, I'm sure that knowing those languages could open up doors to certain jobs or career paths, but that doesn't mean that I will be interested in such opportunities. That's why I've decided not to apply for this particular scholarship.

**Distance** · 10-30-2011, 01:19 PM

	Originally Posted by EricJ To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Well, they honestly don't, aside from Turkish. I mean, I'm sure that knowing those languages could open up doors to certain jobs or career paths, but that doesn't mean that I will be interested in such opportunities. That's why I've decided not to apply for this particular scholarship.

Missed this within your last past. Scan reading fail.


	However, I think I've ultimately decided against applying for this program.

**Kitesurf** · 10-30-2011, 08:00 PM

Originally Posted by EricJ
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

I thought about going with Turkish because it might give me a leg up in the European job market, which is a major attraction for me. However, I think I've ultimately decided against applying for this program. It almost doesn't feel like its worth the time. It would be if I were eligible for one of the other languages offered—Chinese, Japanese, Russian and Arabic—all of which I have some interest in learning.

Very interesting opportunity, I'm assuming they are going to cover some of the costs associated with traveling to these countries for emersion?

Reading the book The Next 100 Years by George Friedman, who's done a pretty good job of predicting future trends and economies, the following countries are predicted to be the most influential and powerful countries. United States, Japan, Poland, and Turkey. To a lesser extent China, India, and Russia is going diminish into insignificance.

I suggest you read the book if you want to know why he comes up with these predictions. However, taking this into account I suggest you:

Learn Chinese, Japanese or German if you want to leverage your way into the mega economies over the next 20 years.

Turkish if you believe in Friedmans 'long term' prediction.

Don't waste your time learning Russian.

But here's the best advice, which countries culture interests you the most?

**JulietCapulet** · 10-30-2011, 08:12 PM

I like asian cultures so I chose Korean.

**mllebrie** · 10-30-2011, 08:43 PM

Of those languages, I would go with Turkish. Korea is a pretty small country in an area of monster-sized economies, Hindi is... well, I don't know about that one. But Turkey seems to be trying pretty hard to be included more in European affairs, and as a more progressive Islamic country, has a lot to bring to the table.

But more importantly, what are you planning/hoping to do in the future? It would make sense to tailor your choice to your interests. For example, if I were going into the Petroleum industry I wouldn't want to be learning German, etc.

**Still Standing** · 10-30-2011, 08:55 PM

	Originally Posted by EricJ To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	I think I've ultimately decided against applying for this program.

	Originally Posted by EricJ To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	That's why I've decided not to apply for this particular scholarship.

**mllebrie** · 10-30-2011, 09:03 PM

Damn. Guess I missed the boat on that one.

**froyo** · 10-30-2011, 09:31 PM

A
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
no more advice can be offered. Or maybe if you want to be "cool", learn korean anyways. Then you can become an expert Starcraft player (nerdy video game reference).

**JackCY** · 10-31-2011, 05:38 AM

Why do you even ask?
Of course Korean :D

**zibber** · 10-31-2011, 06:23 AM

	Originally Posted by mllebrie To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Damn. Guess I missed the boat on that one.

Man! Don't you hate it when you post something and it's all for naught?

It's completely messed up!

**Wilderness** · 11-01-2011, 02:22 PM

Sounds like a Critical Language Scholarship...? If so, just go for it. The odds are slim, but if you get it you'll have a great time!

View Poll Results: Which language should I learn?
Turkish	6	30.00%
Korean	13	65.00%
Hindi	1	5.00%
Voters: 20. You may not vote on this poll

10-29-2011, 07:49 PM	#1
EricJ Member [05%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 224	Hello, So, I'm applying for a language-learning scholarship program. I'm only eligible to apply for some languages, all of which are ones I've had no previous interest in learning. I've narrowed that set down to a subset of three languages: Hindi, Turkish and Korean. Which should I learn? Why? I have my own idea of the relative advantages of each, but I thought I'd get another perspective.
EricJ is offline post a comment

10-29-2011, 08:33 PM	#3
froyo Member [28%] MBTI: INTj Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,149	I suppose I'm with Paji. You can't do something you're not interested in. Also, those languages aren't terribly useful. My personal thoughts on each language: I would've say Hindi because it is the official language of India and India is a very large country that is becoming increasingly more developed alongside China. However, most Indians speak English especially those who are running the country. South Korea is already a highly developed country but it's tiny thus limiting its importance in the world. Turkish I have no idea about. I vote for Korean with my limited knowledge.
froyo is offline post a comment

10-29-2011, 08:40 PM	#4
Still Standing Core Member [138%] MBTI: Isfp Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 5,543	I'd be curious to know which languages you eliminated in the process.
Still Standing is offline post a comment

10-30-2011, 08:04 AM	#7
Urshulgi Member [32%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 1,318	Urdu or Turkish could give you a leg up if you ever want to apply for an intel job at one of the government agencies, or with the foreign service (state department). Other than that, most of those languages are useless as hell, unless you have some overwhelming desire to live in the country that speaks them.
Urshulgi is offline post a comment

10-30-2011, 11:26 AM	#10
EricJ Member [05%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 224	I thought about going with Turkish because it might give me a leg up in the European job market, which is a major attraction for me. However, I think I've ultimately decided against applying for this program. It almost doesn't feel like its worth the time. It would be if I were eligible for one of the other languages offered—Chinese, Japanese, Russian and Arabic—all of which I have some interest in learning.
EricJ is offline post a comment

10-30-2011, 11:40 AM	#11
Distance Core Member [410%] MBTI: eNTj Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 16,409	How do any of these languages fit into your long-term goals? Only you know. But looking at world economics as they stand, Hindi might be the most advantageous in the future.
Distance is offline post a comment

10-30-2011, 08:12 PM	#15
JulietCapulet Veteran Member [96%] MBTI: XNFX Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 3,865	I like asian cultures so I chose Korean.
JulietCapulet is offline post a comment

10-30-2011, 08:43 PM	#16
mllebrie Member [37%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 1,510	Of those languages, I would go with Turkish. Korea is a pretty small country in an area of monster-sized economies, Hindi is... well, I don't know about that one. But Turkey seems to be trying pretty hard to be included more in European affairs, and as a more progressive Islamic country, has a lot to bring to the table. But more importantly, what are you planning/hoping to do in the future? It would make sense to tailor your choice to your interests. For example, if I were going into the Petroleum industry I wouldn't want to be learning German, etc.
mllebrie is offline post a comment

10-30-2011, 09:03 PM	#18
mllebrie Member [37%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 1,510	Damn. Guess I missed the boat on that one.
mllebrie is offline post a comment

10-30-2011, 09:31 PM	#19
froyo Member [28%] MBTI: INTj Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,149	A To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. no more advice can be offered. Or maybe if you want to be "cool", learn korean anyways. Then you can become an expert Starcraft player (nerdy video game reference).
froyo is offline post a comment

10-31-2011, 05:38 AM	#20
JackCY Core Member [108%] MBTI: INTj Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 4,322	Why do you even ask? Of course Korean :D
JackCY is offline post a comment

11-01-2011, 02:22 PM	#22
Wilderness Member [28%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 1,158	Sounds like a Critical Language Scholarship...? If so, just go for it. The odds are slim, but if you get it you'll have a great time!
Wilderness is offline post a comment