Languages

[PhillyHog]

Maybe this doesn't belong in this forum, but if you think about the implications of the question than I think it's fairly obvious why I put it here.

What are the most important languages in the 21st century?

1.  English - The global standard (at the moment) in conducting business worldwide.

2.  Chinese- For obvious reasons.  We are talking about the biggest market in the world that is veiled in secrecy.  Learning the language doesn't get you in the club necessarily, but it's a step in the right direction. That's why I'm in Taiwan, taking my time to build up soft skills so when the market does recover, I'll be better equipped.  Additionally it's not just in China that the language is useful.  Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and to a lesser extent, Vietnam, are all run by Chinese businessmen.

3.  Spanish - Most widely spoken language worldwide in terms of first language by number of countries.  In the US, I feel it will be necessary to speak Spanish in the next 50 years. The countries where it is spoken also offer a lot of growth opportunity.

4.  Arabic - Controversial, but the part of the world where this is spoken is highly insular.  Oil won't last forever but with Dubai et al trying to establish themselves as financial hubs...who knows?

5. French - Africa?  Lingua franca comes from the previous dominance of the French.  Long time ago?  But still important?

6. Portugese - Brazil?

What are everybody else's thoughts?

[ErieHog]

German is still the lingua franca of banking in Western Europe, and increasingly Eastern Europe and Russia, areas of dynamic economic growth and superior political stability compared to the 3rd world; it is displacing French for business among the francophonic states of West Africa as well.  I'd put it well ahead of Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese, and French.