German, French or Hebrew?

  • 72 results
  • 1
  • 2

This topic is locked from further discussion.

Avatar image for GazaAli
GazaAli

25216

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#1 GazaAli
Member since 2007 • 25216 Posts

I realized that I have a lot of time on my hands which can be utilized in learning a new language. I speak both Arabic and English and would like to add another language to those. But since I'm stuck in a hellhole with little to no resources, I'm looking for a language that would be relatively easy to learn. I'm not a French guy myself, leaning more towards German. Also Hebrew is on that list since its kind of close to Arabic.

Based on my knowledge of English and Arabic, which new language would be easier to learn? If you have any other suggestions then by all means do tell.

Avatar image for HoolaHoopMan
HoolaHoopMan

14724

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#2 HoolaHoopMan
Member since 2009 • 14724 Posts
As for usefulness? French for sure. I found German to be pretty easy though, its very efficient and structured when compared to English.
Avatar image for Ring_of_fire
Ring_of_fire

15880

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#3 Ring_of_fire
Member since 2003 • 15880 Posts
Would one language be more be more useful to the others? That could be a determining factor in what language would be best to use. The easiest would probably be Hebrew if you think it's close to a language you already know. I can read German somewhat (need to brush up on it). It's a very interesting language, but makes some sense in the way sentences are constructed. Difficult in other way.
Avatar image for GazaAli
GazaAli

25216

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#4 GazaAli
Member since 2007 • 25216 Posts
As for usefulness? French for sure. I found German to be pretty easy though, its very efficient and structured when compared to English. HoolaHoopMan
That is the problem. French in terms of usefulness is superior but I find it to be hard to an extent. As I said I'm looking for something accessible given the limited resources and options I have.
Avatar image for GazaAli
GazaAli

25216

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#5 GazaAli
Member since 2007 • 25216 Posts
[QUOTE="Ring_of_fire"]Would one language be more be more useful to the others? That could be a determining factor in what language would be best to use. The easiest would probably be Hebrew if you think it's close to a language you already know. I can read German somewhat (need to brush up on it). It's a very interesting language, but makes some sense in the way sentences are constructed. Difficult in other way.

I don't have any goal in mind really so I don't know what to learn. Hebrew can come in handy, given where I live and all. How is Dutch? If I ever got the chance to move to Belgium it'd be definitely useful.
Avatar image for snakes_codec
snakes_codec

2754

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

#6 snakes_codec
Member since 2008 • 2754 Posts
depends French would likely be the more useful language to learn due to it being more widely used if we are talking which would be easiest to learn id guess basic German would be much easier for a native English speaker than basic French or Hebrew due to both coming from the same language family.
Avatar image for Ring_of_fire
Ring_of_fire

15880

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#7 Ring_of_fire
Member since 2003 • 15880 Posts
[QUOTE="GazaAli"][QUOTE="Ring_of_fire"]Would one language be more be more useful to the others? That could be a determining factor in what language would be best to use. The easiest would probably be Hebrew if you think it's close to a language you already know. I can read German somewhat (need to brush up on it). It's a very interesting language, but makes some sense in the way sentences are constructed. Difficult in other way.

I don't have any goal in mind really so I don't know what to learn. Hebrew can come in handy, given where I live and all. How is Dutch? If I ever got the chance to move to Belgium it'd be definitely useful.

If you plan on moving to Belgium French would also be useful as a large minority speak it (wiki says 40%). idk how hard Dutch is, but wiki says it's a cross between German and English. Might be beneficial to learn Dutch now and then French if you move
Avatar image for snakes_codec
snakes_codec

2754

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

#8 snakes_codec
Member since 2008 • 2754 Posts
[QUOTE="GazaAli"][QUOTE="Ring_of_fire"]Would one language be more be more useful to the others? That could be a determining factor in what language would be best to use. The easiest would probably be Hebrew if you think it's close to a language you already know. I can read German somewhat (need to brush up on it). It's a very interesting language, but makes some sense in the way sentences are constructed. Difficult in other way.

I don't have any goal in mind really so I don't know what to learn. Hebrew can come in handy, given where I live and all. How is Dutch? If I ever got the chance to move to Belgium it'd be definitely useful.

Dutch is considered the closest language to English especially the Frisian dialect spoken in Friesland a province in the northern part of the Netherlands.
Avatar image for lamprey263
lamprey263

45515

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 10

User Lists: 0

#9 lamprey263
Member since 2006 • 45515 Posts
Hebrew, maybe you can pretend to be Jewish so you can work for one of those Jewish businesses that pay nice but **hush hush** give preference to Jewish people.
Avatar image for GazaAli
GazaAli

25216

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#10 GazaAli
Member since 2007 • 25216 Posts
[QUOTE="Ring_of_fire"][QUOTE="GazaAli"][QUOTE="Ring_of_fire"]Would one language be more be more useful to the others? That could be a determining factor in what language would be best to use. The easiest would probably be Hebrew if you think it's close to a language you already know. I can read German somewhat (need to brush up on it). It's a very interesting language, but makes some sense in the way sentences are constructed. Difficult in other way.

I don't have any goal in mind really so I don't know what to learn. Hebrew can come in handy, given where I live and all. How is Dutch? If I ever got the chance to move to Belgium it'd be definitely useful.

If you plan on moving to Belgium French would also be useful as a large minority speak it (wiki says 40%). idk how hard Dutch is, but wiki says it's a cross between German and English. Might be beneficial to learn Dutch now and then French if you move

They speak French in Wallonia and Dutch in Flanders. I don't know about French, I just can't picture myself speaking the language. snakes_codec here says that Dutch is the closest language to English. I find that very interesting.
Avatar image for GazaAli
GazaAli

25216

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#11 GazaAli
Member since 2007 • 25216 Posts
Hebrew, maybe you can pretend to be Jewish so you can work for one of those Jewish businesses that pay nice but **hush hush** give preference to Jewish people.lamprey263
Shalom ani besedegh' :P
Avatar image for Ring_of_fire
Ring_of_fire

15880

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#12 Ring_of_fire
Member since 2003 • 15880 Posts

[QUOTE="Ring_of_fire"][QUOTE="GazaAli"] I don't have any goal in mind really so I don't know what to learn. Hebrew can come in handy, given where I live and all. How is Dutch? If I ever got the chance to move to Belgium it'd be definitely useful.GazaAli
If you plan on moving to Belgium French would also be useful as a large minority speak it (wiki says 40%). idk how hard Dutch is, but wiki says it's a cross between German and English. Might be beneficial to learn Dutch now and then French if you move

They speak French in Wallonia and Dutch in Flanders. I don't know about French, I just can't picture myself speaking the language. snakes_codec here says that Dutch is the closest language to English. I find that very interesting.

That is why I think Dutch would be better to learn first.  You can then probably get the gist of German by knowing Dutch.  My point was, it might be useful to have an understanding of French while in Belgium even if you don't think of speaking it.

Avatar image for Kats_RK
Kats_RK

2080

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

#13 Kats_RK
Member since 2010 • 2080 Posts

French but I'll rather learn italian or portuguese.

Avatar image for GazaAli
GazaAli

25216

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#14 GazaAli
Member since 2007 • 25216 Posts

[QUOTE="GazaAli"][QUOTE="Ring_of_fire"] If you plan on moving to Belgium French would also be useful as a large minority speak it (wiki says 40%). idk how hard Dutch is, but wiki says it's a cross between German and English. Might be beneficial to learn Dutch now and then French if you moveRing_of_fire

They speak French in Wallonia and Dutch in Flanders. I don't know about French, I just can't picture myself speaking the language. snakes_codec here says that Dutch is the closest language to English. I find that very interesting.

That is why I think Dutch would be better to learn first.  You can then probably get the gist of German by knowing Dutch.  My point was, it might be useful to have an understanding of French while in Belgium even if you don't think of speaking it.

I get your point. I believe that I can master almost any language if I lived in a country that speak it for a couple of years at most. So I'll definitely learn French if I ever moved to Belgium.
Avatar image for Ring_of_fire
Ring_of_fire

15880

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#15 Ring_of_fire
Member since 2003 • 15880 Posts
[QUOTE="Ring_of_fire"]

[QUOTE="GazaAli"] They speak French in Wallonia and Dutch in Flanders. I don't know about French, I just can't picture myself speaking the language. snakes_codec here says that Dutch is the closest language to English. I find that very interesting.GazaAli

That is why I think Dutch would be better to learn first.  You can then probably get the gist of German by knowing Dutch.  My point was, it might be useful to have an understanding of French while in Belgium even if you don't think of speaking it.

I get your point. I believe that I can master almost any language if I lived in a country that speak it for a couple of years at most. So I'll definitely learn French if I ever moved to Belgium.

And eat many of their delicious waffles! :D
Avatar image for Shottayouth13-
Shottayouth13-

7018

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#16 Shottayouth13-
Member since 2009 • 7018 Posts
Since you already speak Arabic, it would be a plus to learn Hebrew.
Avatar image for snakes_codec
snakes_codec

2754

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

#17 snakes_codec
Member since 2008 • 2754 Posts
Since you already speak Arabic, it would be a plus to learn Hebrew.Shottayouth13-
send him to Gaza he could be a double double agent .
Avatar image for Stesilaus
Stesilaus

4999

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

#18 Stesilaus
Member since 2007 • 4999 Posts

When Western Civilization has collapsed (a few years from now), you'll wish you'd learned Chinese.  :|

Avatar image for Makhaidos
Makhaidos

2162

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#19 Makhaidos
Member since 2013 • 2162 Posts
French is the most useful, German the most interesting, Hebrew the most difficult.
Avatar image for leviathan91
leviathan91

7763

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

#20 leviathan91
Member since 2007 • 7763 Posts

You could probably learn two langauges if you're up to the challenge.

From that list, I'd pick French but it depends on why you want to learn the langauge.

Avatar image for iskeethunters
iskeethunters

925

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#21 iskeethunters
Member since 2011 • 925 Posts
English is a Germanic language so I guess you'll find it easier to learn because of its structure. French is hard but it would be the most useful. I don't see any reasons for Hebrew to be honest.
Avatar image for Nengo_Flow
Nengo_Flow

10644

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#22 Nengo_Flow
Member since 2011 • 10644 Posts
none of those are actually useful for anything unless you plan on living in the place where that language is dominate. I think arabic is cool, but unless I plan on reading the Quran, marrying a muslim girl and her family, or moving to the middle east. I dont see a reason to learn it. If there was a large community of arabic speeking people around where i live, then I wouldnt mind learning it just for fun. But thats not the case.
Avatar image for iskeethunters
iskeethunters

925

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#23 iskeethunters
Member since 2011 • 925 Posts
[QUOTE="Nengo_Flow"]none of those are actually useful for anything unless you plan on living in the place where that language is dominate. I think arabic is cool, but unless I plan on reading the Quran, marrying a muslim girl and her family, or moving to the middle east. I dont see a reason to learn it. If there was a large community of arabic speeking people around where i live, then I wouldnt mind learning it just for fun. But thats not the case.

Your first point is valid only if you're living in the US.
Avatar image for Nengo_Flow
Nengo_Flow

10644

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#24 Nengo_Flow
Member since 2011 • 10644 Posts
[QUOTE="iskeethunters"][QUOTE="Nengo_Flow"]none of those are actually useful for anything unless you plan on living in the place where that language is dominate. I think arabic is cool, but unless I plan on reading the Quran, marrying a muslim girl and her family, or moving to the middle east. I dont see a reason to learn it. If there was a large community of arabic speeking people around where i live, then I wouldnt mind learning it just for fun. But thats not the case.

Your first point is valid only if you're living in the US.

Or asia. Or South america.
Avatar image for espoac
espoac

4346

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 6

User Lists: 0

#25 espoac
Member since 2005 • 4346 Posts

I think there's some misinformation in this thread about the relative difficulty of these languages. Hebrew obviously has nothing to do with English. As for German, it was similar to English perhaps 1,000 years ago. Nowadays not so much. Having tried to learn both, I can say Chinese grammar is actually easier for an English speaker to grasp than German grammar. French is therefore the easiest but even with that you're probably talking about years of effort to be really fluent.

I personally say choose you learn the one that will feel the most enjoyable and the least like work. 

Avatar image for quadraleap
quadraleap

36581

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#26 quadraleap
Member since 2004 • 36581 Posts
I would think French would be easiest and perhaps most useful (in this area anyhow), but personally I always wanted to learn German.
Avatar image for Master_Live
Master_Live

20550

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 7

#27 Master_Live
Member since 2004 • 20550 Posts
Of those I would pick German. But for you, Hebrew. Then you can finally bring peace to the Middle East. No but really, Spanish.
Avatar image for XilePrincess
XilePrincess

13130

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#28 XilePrincess
Member since 2008 • 13130 Posts
Of the three, learn French. Simply because it's a romance language, if you can pick up French then eventually you can also learn Spanish, Italian, etc. fairly easily because they're all similar. German is way out in left field, nothing else is really like it. Search "How German sounds compared to other languages" on youtube.
Avatar image for blue_hazy_basic
blue_hazy_basic

30854

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

#30 blue_hazy_basic  Moderator
Member since 2002 • 30854 Posts
As for usefulness? French for sure. I found German to be pretty easy though, its very efficient and structured when compared to English. HoolaHoopMan
I hated having to wait to find out what the hell you're talking about until the end of the sentence in german :P
Avatar image for blue_hazy_basic
blue_hazy_basic

30854

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

#31 blue_hazy_basic  Moderator
Member since 2002 • 30854 Posts
I'm a native English speaker and had to study both German and French in school. As a language I much preferred French to German and I've found it more useful as nearly all Germans I met had better English than I had German! (not the case with the French!)
Avatar image for Darkman2007
Darkman2007

17926

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 40

User Lists: 0

#32 Darkman2007
Member since 2007 • 17926 Posts

I would say French , its a language that you can use in quite a few places , as opposed to the other two.

 

that said, Hebrew would be easier given your original language.

Avatar image for johnd13
johnd13

11134

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#33 johnd13
Member since 2011 • 11134 Posts

I would pick French. As others have said it' s more "useful" and tbh I like it more as I had a french class in high-school. :P

Actually I' m thinking of learning some basic french(I remember almost nothing from school).

Avatar image for famicommander
famicommander

8524

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#34 famicommander
Member since 2008 • 8524 Posts
German is most similar to English and would be easier to learn than French or Hebrew. It would probably be more useful, too.
Avatar image for nomsayin
nomsayin

1346

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#35 nomsayin
Member since 2013 • 1346 Posts

Hebrew seems like the best option for you given your situation. 

Avatar image for Netret0120
Netret0120

3594

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 3

User Lists: 0

#36 Netret0120
Member since 2013 • 3594 Posts
Deutsch definitely. Ich habe deutsch gelernt in zehn monat wann ich war im wien. It's not too hard with a lil effort.
Avatar image for GazaAli
GazaAli

25216

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#37 GazaAli
Member since 2007 • 25216 Posts
I don't think I'll be able to learn French in my current situation. I'm really leaning towards Hebrew. It may not be the most useful one on a large scale but I know it may be the most language I'd commit to.
Avatar image for GazaAli
GazaAli

25216

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#38 GazaAli
Member since 2007 • 25216 Posts

I would say French , its a language that you can use in quite a few places , as opposed to the other two.

 

that said, Hebrew would be easier given your original language.

Darkman2007
I was waiting for you to comment on this topic. How hard is Hebrew for a native Arabic speaker?
Avatar image for Ravenous_Joker
Ravenous_Joker

297

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#39 Ravenous_Joker
Member since 2013 • 297 Posts
I have always wanted to learn German.
Avatar image for worlock77
worlock77

22552

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#40 worlock77
Member since 2009 • 22552 Posts

In your situation TC, I'd probably lean towards Hebrew.

Avatar image for deactivated-5f9e3c6a83e51
deactivated-5f9e3c6a83e51

57548

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 19

User Lists: 0

#41 deactivated-5f9e3c6a83e51
Member since 2004 • 57548 Posts

German.  You can chat with Merkel.

Avatar image for GazaAli
GazaAli

25216

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#42 GazaAli
Member since 2007 • 25216 Posts

German.  You can chat with Merkel.

sonicare
Helf Merkel, das monstroum in mirvid explodeirm That is just a transliteration :P
Avatar image for cain006
cain006

8625

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 38

User Lists: 0

#43 cain006
Member since 2008 • 8625 Posts

Since you're doing it completely on your own, pick one that you will find enjoyable and stick with.

Avatar image for HybridPhoenix
HybridPhoenix

3598

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#44 HybridPhoenix
Member since 2007 • 3598 Posts
Depends where you live. I live in East Coast Canada so French is a must. Though out of those choices, unless you live near Germany, French is probably still the best bet.
Avatar image for sukraj
sukraj

27859

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 22

User Lists: 0

#45 sukraj
Member since 2008 • 27859 Posts

Me chana like french.

Avatar image for Angie7F
Angie7F

1175

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#46 Angie7F
Member since 2011 • 1175 Posts

I like German because I like the sound of it. 

I kinda find the masculine sound of German sexier than French.

Avatar image for Darkman2007
Darkman2007

17926

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 40

User Lists: 0

#47 Darkman2007
Member since 2007 • 17926 Posts
[QUOTE="Darkman2007"]

I would say French , its a language that you can use in quite a few places , as opposed to the other two.

 

that said, Hebrew would be easier given your original language.

GazaAli
I was waiting for you to comment on this topic. How hard is Hebrew for a native Arabic speaker?

there are alot of similarities, and the fact that alot of Arabs managed to learn it without any formal teaching should say something.
Avatar image for wis3boi
wis3boi

32507

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

#48 wis3boi
Member since 2005 • 32507 Posts

German, just because you can do this:

 

Donaudampfschiffahrtsgesellschaftskapitän


Avatar image for johnd13
johnd13

11134

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#49 johnd13
Member since 2011 • 11134 Posts

German, just because you can do this:

Donaudampfschiffahrtsgesellschaftskapitän

wis3boi

:o

Avatar image for m0zart
m0zart

11580

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 54

User Lists: 0

#50 m0zart
Member since 2003 • 11580 Posts

Given your location and your first language, I'd probably say Hebrew.  I realize you are behind the line, but you never know how things can turn out politically in the future, and you might find yourself living and working on the other side at some point in the future.  Having the ability to communicate in Hebrew would make that a lot easier.