Scourge of War Boards

I am taking a poll, more for the input of my fellow members than for making a decision. For the past year I have been wanting to learn a different language. I still have yet to even come close to mastering the English language, but the idea of being able to speak multiple languages thrills me. I have narrowed it down to a couple that I would have an interest in learning. I am also hoping this knowledge of a second language will help me in my future endeavors as a Historian and (with some luck) a College Professor.

Spanish is what I studied in school for two years. I never found it interesting, but I have decided the dry textbooks and the not so smart teacher were to blame for not holding my attention. I am willing to give this one another try. It will help me with the understanding of the exploration and discoveries of America further (I hope to study American History).

French is the next choice because, the French history has always intrigued me. Especially the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. This would also open up many books to me (I love military history) because most Military manuals and books of an advanced age were in French.

German would be the next one. Its always been on my mind since my good friend took it at his high school. Its a commanding language, fun to speak (what little I know) and is also one of the "European" languages.

Hindi is the odd ball out of the group. I have many Indian friends and India has grabbed my interest. I am currently not decided on if I will also focus (besides American History) on European History or Asian History.

Is it also true that we have several Historians and/or History Professors in the board? Which language would be the best for a historian in his career? Thanks for the votes and if you have any comments, suggestions or questions, post away.

It really helps you learning a language if there is someone around who can speak that language and is willing to work with you on conversational [pick one]. So one consideration is who is around that speaks one of your candidate languages. From a military history perspective it would depend entirely on what area of history you would be concentrating in. For Napoleonic era, French would help, where for WWII, either German or Japanese would be best.

-Jim

I have a couple friends that speak some Spanish, but the real bonus is the friend who is a Linguistics Major.

2nd Kentucky, To what purpose do you need to learn another language? French would be the quickest just learn to say "I surrender". If you get into business, learn Chinese. If you get into the drug trade here in Southern California, Spanish would be helpful. If you have any violent tendacies, I would suggest Farcie or some Arabic language. This last suggestion might work if you joined the C I A or Homeland Security also. All in all you need to have a real purpose in learning a foreign language. :whistle: :laugh: B)

I plan on being a History Professor. From what I have heard, including some suggestions from a few history professors would increase my employability and give me much more insight in a given culture and their history. I plan on focusing in American History. Spanish would be a great language to start with. But French would help with Military History.

In all I want to learn a language (preferably Spanish or French) to help me in my future endeavors in History. And I also want to learn a language. School never made it fun because we learned straight from the really old text book. I feel that if I give it a go on my own I can gain a better grasp of it. I have a few Spanish friends who have volunteered to help me so I think I am in a good road to learn a language.

If you are really going to go down the long road of a PhD in history make sure you have funding from the school!!!! Otherwise, it is not worth it and in all likelihood might not even be financially possible, ie. unless you are independently wealthy you will not be able to take out enough loans to finish the program. The language issue should be secondary after that - especially because most PhD programs only require a reading proficiency which from what I understand is much easier than being able to speak or write in another language. You basically just need to be able to sift through documents in that particular language with some comprehension of what those documents are saying. Also, the programs should have tutors to help you with this.

I figured on getting my BA in History with the various scholarships I am doing. I also have had quite a few schools willing to help me with the payments. After my four years I will try to work with the college to get me a tuition for work deal. They have given it to some students I personally know. Once that is through I will probably enter the work force as either a history teacher or something along those lines. At that point I woud try to get my PhD as time went on.

A very worthy goal my young reb friend. Being a history teacher would be my dream if I could go back a few years. Love what you teach, love who you teach, and you will do well. Find a great companion and have a brood and you will be an even better teacher. Learn and tell great stories that can be related to life today. Remember that the only difference between a mud hole and a gheyser is enthusiasm. Be excited and your students will become excited. The whole world is out there to be explored and made better. My two cents.

For the past three years I have worked at a scout camp with the youngest ones there (eleven). And to work with kids you need a lot and I mean --a lot-- of excitement and enthusiasm, even if you have to fake it.

I would prefer to become a History Professor. By doing this I would work with (in theory) more mature people. And besides the required classes, I would have students willing and wanting to learn history. They are not in the class because they have to be. I find that this is predominate in middle and high school history classes.

Furthermore, I think I have a knack for writing and would like to become an author. A professor's book, especially non-fiction, is much more respected and considered more reliable than a high school teacher. All in all, thank you for the suggestions and questions.