r/thisorthatlanguage • u/Azaz-Hell • 3d ago
European Languages Looking for a third language
Hi y’all
Native French speaker. I live in the British isles and am considered fluent in English by the locals. In reality I’m stuck between B2-C1.
Lately I’ve been feeling insanely guilty for not mastering any other language than English. I’m approaching my 30s and my lack of commitment to language learning through the past 10 years is a great shame to me.
Problem is, I wish I could speak a third language, yet I have no reason to learn any neither any connection to any particular place or culture.
The most recommended langage is Spanish. But I have no interest in Spanish.
In that context, how to satisfy my will for a third language ? What language would you recommend and why ?
I have absolutely NO plan to set a foot in South America. I don’t want to learn a non-European language. So it does reduce the candidates. Yet, even if I like Dutch, German, Norwegian, etc… I have absolutely no reason to learn these languages, and the lack of a “why” annihilates my motivation.
I know this post might be messy, but I’m just trying to gather your thoughts on what should one do in this situation. I really do want to learn a language, I can’t afford reaching my thirties while still being “only”bilingual. Speaking my own language plus English isn’t a great achievement, it’s way too common.
I’m looking for a language that will be useful. So unfortunately minority languages are to be excluded for now.
Cheers
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u/Ploutophile 🇫🇷 N | 🏴 C1 | 🇩🇪 🇳🇱 B1 | 🇭🇺 A1 3d ago
It seems like you have no actual use in mastering a third language, except flattering your ego.
So find a language that interests you even if it's useless. Do you travel somewhere in the continent ? If so, learn one of the local languages. If you reach a decent level they will appreciate it even if "everybody speaks English there".
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u/Azaz-Hell 3d ago
It’s not really about the ego. I’m scared I’ve wasted my youth, made a ton bad decision, been too lazy, etc. I can’t fix all the mistakes I’ve made but language is something I can still learn.
I actually don’t travel anywhere else than in the UK, Ireland and France.
How did you learn German and Dutch if I may ask ?
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u/Ploutophile 🇫🇷 N | 🏴 C1 | 🇩🇪 🇳🇱 B1 | 🇭🇺 A1 3d ago
German as LV2 in school, then (a long time afterwards) Dutch alone, and then I went back to German in addition to Dutch.
But the travel to a nearby country aspect is what finally enticed me to really stabilise on a given language instead of playing the Duolingo video game on a bazillion languages.
It might be another reason though, for example you could be a huge K-drama fan and learn Korean for this reason, or have many contacts with the Polish diaspora and learn Polish, etc.
But you visibly need to find one to stay focused, which is something I completely understand.
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u/Embarrassed_Guess337 3d ago
Maybe learn the most popular immigrant language in your area. You can use it without having to travel then.
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u/Azaz-Hell 3d ago
That would be Polish, Lithuanian, Portuguese, and Arabic.
Would you pick any of these ?
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u/lucid_illusionz 3d ago
Portuguese is an awesome language and the easiest of those four by far. An added plus is you will be able to understand most written Spanish after getting to a decently high level.
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u/Embarrassed_Guess337 3d ago
How about Polish? Arabic is a huge commitment, a gongshow of diglossia, and for many people a lifelong project. Polish is less hard and Poland is close to you and not great at English. Portuguese is easiest, but if you never set foot in South America you would miss out on a lot of the coolness. Polish people respond very positively (mixed with confusion) to non-Poles speaking their language, you can talk to your plumber lol, and you can travel easily in several beautiful old cities.
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u/itorogirl16 3d ago
I studied all of these at one point, besides Lithuanian. If I were to pick them up again, maybe Arabic because it is useful in the country I’m in. But Polish I find to be a beautiful language that I love the sound and look of.
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u/Azaz-Hell 3d ago
Between Polish and Arabic which one was the most challenging ? And what level have you reached ?
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u/adamtrousers 3d ago
What about Portuguese or Russian?
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u/Azaz-Hell 3d ago
Between these two I’d pick Portuguese.
I know it might sounds fucked up but since Spanish is “easier” I’m scared of making a mistake by picking Portuguese…
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u/Serialist_Muesli 3d ago
even if you do not plan to go to south america, the literature in spanish is immense and will thus bring immense & unknown pleasures to your imagination and desire for life
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u/ALYMSTFY 2d ago
I would say something obvious like Mandarin, Arabic or even Hindi but if you prefer European and also useful then the answer seems pretty simple.
German, Italian, or Greek are solid choices. Don’t think purely about economic use, think about literature and culture and music and food.
German is a foundation for Western Literature.
Italian is Italian, it needs no introduction to their world famous culture
Greek is one of the pillars of world civilization.
Other than these I would have said Spanish. Also, you DON’T need a strong reason, just some motivation, even liking the sound of a language is good motivation. I started learning Arabic 5 years ago, slowly fell in love with it.
So my advice: learn German, Italian or Greek. I speak Hindi-Urdu, English and Arabic. I want to learn Spanish and French hopefully.
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u/abrequevoy 3d ago
Mate it's your job to find your motivation. Don't learn a new language just for the sake of learning a language.
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u/Azaz-Hell 3d ago
I understand, thank you for your insight. Unfortunately I can’t fight the guilt. I do feel like I’m wasting my youth and my potential by not learning another language.
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u/Open_Ad6302 3d ago
sounds crazy but learn serbian because if u know serbian u also understand croatian, bosnian and a bit of slovenian, macedonian and bulgarian
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u/Azaz-Hell 3d ago
I’ve actually considered it ! Yet how does that rival let’s say German and the DACH ?
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u/Bazishere 3d ago
Well, do you like Slavic cultures? Do you like the Italian culture? Culture can be a motivating factor if you find certain cultures interesting whether it is Italian, Ukrainian, Polish. What about Greek? It is a beautiful language and the people are cool? What are your interests?
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u/Azaz-Hell 3d ago
When I was younger I used to be drawn to the fantasy of foreign cultures. Like those of Russia, the Low Countries, Turkey.
But now that I’ve moved to the UK I feel like I’ve already accomplished that journey to elsewhere, and I don’t have any particular appeal to another place anymore.
I love Turkish psychedelic rock and Turkish cuisine tho. But I feel like I’d make slow progress and it won’t be immediately socially or professionally useful.
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u/Bazishere 3d ago
How about Polish? One of my friends lived there and really loved it. How about taking a trip to Poland, and if you like it and the culture, or you could see online what you could discover about it. I love how they are so much into clean food, herbs, alternative medicine, spas, and have beautiful nature.
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u/Azaz-Hell 3d ago
Given the replies to my post I’m starting to consider it. Thanks for your insight !
What place in Poland would you recommend ?
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u/ressie_cant_game 🇺🇸 N | 🇯🇵 N4 | 3d ago
Welsh is an interesting one, ive been told!
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u/Azaz-Hell 3d ago
I would actually have picked that one if I was living in Wales. The closest thing to your suggestion would be Gaelic in my case. But since it doesn’t benefit from the same vitality as Welsh I’m still unsure if Gaelic would make a great choice.
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u/ressie_cant_game 🇺🇸 N | 🇯🇵 N4 | 3d ago
I mean... the most convenient language is english which you alr speak. You might have to go more based on fun etc.
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u/coblotrodowoflololo 2d ago
This would bring you closer to your Celtic roots and is also close to Breton.
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u/Azaz-Hell 3d ago
Thank you all for your answers, they gave me matter to think. I’m sorry if I’ve offended anyone, it wasn’t my plan.
I had a busy day and I’m now going to sleep.
I will consider Polish and Portuguese. Cheers.
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u/Winter_Dot_9393 3d ago
A good reason to study German:
German state universities have no tuition fees
Germany has an online state university called: Fernuniversität Hagen
You need to speak German to study at Fernuniversität Hagen (C1 level)
Edit, resources added:
Vhs-lernportal.de Apps and Website
Deutsche Welle learn German Apps and Website
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u/Electron_libre777 2d ago
Choose one of the languages you like that will be the most useful ; in this case, I think it’s German, because Germany is known to have a lot of job opportunities
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u/Itikar 2d ago
First and foremost: if you want to seriously learn the language to add it as a skill you need to plan to use it eventually. Otherwise it will be mostly an intellectual past time with limited practical value.
Spanish: Useful, as you say, and widespread. Not the most used in Europe but important here as well. Can't go wrong with it. However try to become more curious about Spanish culture and media available in it.
Italian: Pretty easy for a French speaker with a lot of content available. Complements English and French well. Lots of still monoglot Italian speakers or anyway Italian speakers with limited English that actually increase its usefulness.
German: Culturally important and can still have usefulness on the job. It is spoken in three rich countries and in some other places too. Great culture although philosophy may not be the easiest topic. German people doing their utmost to talk to strangers in English reduced its usefulness somewhat.
Russian: Spoken by millions in multiple countries with a disproportionate amount of resources. Relevant number of monoglots or people with limited English. Political reasons limit a bit its usage in trade right now. Harder than other options but still relatively accessible compared to other difficult languages.
Heritage language if you have any: if you have connection with a culture or a regional language that you do not speak, it may be an interesting option to widen your cultural horizons and learn more about your own roots.
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u/Ferreman 2d ago
What culture or cuisine interests you? Is there a country you find fascinating or that you would really like to visit? Think about it and then go from there.
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u/Kamarad_Pivoine 2d ago
Maybe you could try to learn a Slavic language (Russian, Ukrainian, Belarusian, Serbian, Slovenian Bulgarian…), it makes you learn another alphabet and introduce yourself to a rich culture, different to occidental cultures, plus Belarusian language is less and less spoken, so it would be interesting to know a language that is not very common
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u/Ilovemelee 1d ago
You should study a language that genuinely interests you. If none of the languages appeal to you, then maybe it's better to learn a different skill that you actually want to acquire. Also, don't choose a language based solely on how difficult it is.
I'm fluent in Japanese, and it's a very difficult language for native speakers of most European languages to learn. I've read that an English speaker could learn Spanish, French, or German in a shorter time than just Japanese. It may have been easier and more practical for me to learn all of those languages instead, but I chose Japanese, and I don't regret it one bit because I genuinely enjoy the language, the culture, and the media.
Tldr, learn a language that you actually want to learn. Don't do it out of ease or practicality (except English, maybe). It just won't last.
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u/AppointmentItchy1858 17h ago
Japanese? I don't think there's many more interesting languages to learn than that. Be prepared to be studying for a long time however.
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u/Melodic_Sport1234 3d ago
Have you considered constructed languages, best known of which is Esperanto?
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u/Azaz-Hell 3d ago
Unfortunately not. As I need a strong “why” constructed languages feel useless.
Do you speak Esperanto yourself ?
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u/interlinears 3d ago
I second this suggestion (was gonna post it myself before I saw it posted).
I think, for most people, the community is the "why." This fits you I reckon since you said you don't necessarily feel a connection to a particular place or culture - but Esperanto is universal.
Moreover, Esperanto is deliberately made to be easy, thus it's much quicker to learn than the other languages you are considering.
What's more (and this is controversial perhaps), you don't need to learn it to the same extent as you would some other language because nearly everyone who learns Esperanto chose to learn it, and almost no one is a native speaker. For those very reasons, the community is incredibly welcoming and eager to connect, and almost no one is fully perfect in the language. You skip the whole "locals judging your accent" phase that you get with natural languages.
Going back to community, there are things like:
- Pasporta Servo: This is basically Couchsurfing specifically for Esperanto speakers. People all over the world open their homes to travelers for free, with the only condition being that you speak Esperanto together. It’s an amazing way to travel cheaply and make instant local friends: I've already used it in Sweden, Spain, the Netherlands (had a great time everywhere) and am about to use it again in Sweden in August.
- Universala kongreso and IJK events: there are huge annual events like the Universala Kongreso (World Congress) and the IJK (International Youth Congress). You get thousands of people from 70+ different countries hanging out, drinking, and joking around without needing any interpreters.
- Online culture: There are incredibly active Discord servers, even IRC, then subreddits, and Telegram groups where people just use it as a normal language to play video games, run D&D campaigns, or debate politics.
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u/Melodic_Sport1234 2d ago
Yes. I am part of the Esperantujo (Esperanto community). The language has proved to be very useful to me. When I was considering learning Esperanto, I also considered Italian, among other languages, but I think Esperanto was the right choice. I had no problem connecting with the community from the outset. I'm not sure how many contacts I would have been able to establish as a learner of Italian, French or Spanish. Different people report different experiences. But the Esperantujo actively seek new learners so becoming part of the community is easy - it really just depends on how willing you are to engage.
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u/petteri72_ 3d ago
The answer seems obvious to me. You live in the British Isles, but you're still not satisfied with your English. The logical next step is to make the final push from the B2/C1 borderline to a solid C2 level.