What is the most useful language for a backpacker to learn?
French? Spanish? German? Arabic? Swahili? Other than English, what language will get you the farthest in the world?
N Posts: 42
Speaking from an armchair/wannabe traveller's perspective, I'd say spanish, closely followed by french and arabic, simply because of the number of speakers and the sheer geographic area those languages cover.
I'm sure there are people out there more experienced than me, so does anyone else have any opinions on this subject? Reply to this
I'm sure there are people out there more experienced than me, so does anyone else have any opinions on this subject? Reply to this
B Posts: 21
Well if you're in the Orient, Mandarin Chinese. :-) But as far as backpacking around the world, Hindi and Spanish are the next highest rated.
http://www.krysstal.com/spoken.html
Or as I like to do, learn Cheers in every language. Everyone drinks, so why not say cheers or good health first. :-)
Cheers, Slainte, Salud, Kompai, Saunte, Prost, Skawl,
Nathan
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http://www.krysstal.com/spoken.html
Or as I like to do, learn Cheers in every language. Everyone drinks, so why not say cheers or good health first. :-)
Cheers, Slainte, Salud, Kompai, Saunte, Prost, Skawl,
Nathan
Reply to this
N Posts: 42
lol!
Well, Cheers to you too, Nathan!
I can definitely see where you're coming from with Mandarin and Spanish, but as for Hindi, don't most people who speak Hindi also speak English too? It's just that, in places where you have an opportunity to speak Hindi, you also probably have the option of speaking English, so Hindi isn't really that useful, is it? Reply to this
Well, Cheers to you too, Nathan!
I can definitely see where you're coming from with Mandarin and Spanish, but as for Hindi, don't most people who speak Hindi also speak English too? It's just that, in places where you have an opportunity to speak Hindi, you also probably have the option of speaking English, so Hindi isn't really that useful, is it? Reply to this
N Posts: 17
I would say Spanish, but don' t discount Mandarin. Most importantly I would recommend no matter what country you go to try to learn a few words/phrases. Locals always appreciate an attempt over an assumption that they speak English.
Mark.
www.privateislandsblog.com Reply to this
Mark.
www.privateislandsblog.com Reply to this
B Posts: 73
Agree with all of the above. For the Latin-based-language countries, I would vote for Spanish first, definitely. Followed closely by French (which is of course useful in Canada as well as Europe). Can't comment on Asia as I haven't spent as much time there...yet. :) All in due time. At the moment, I'm working on Spanish personally which has come in handy in my more recent and upcoming travels to South America! Reply to this
