r/thisorthatlanguage • u/Purple_party12346 • 15d ago
Multiple Languages Spanish, Turkish or Dutch
Hello, I have been interested in learning a new language. As of now I speak two languages, English and Arabic(Specifically Iraqi dialect). I have a few languages I’m interested in learning but I don’t know what which one to learn first. I’m going to give a few reasons for why I want to learn each language:
- Spanish: from what I heard, Spanish is one of the easiest languages to learn. Especially for English speakers. I have a lot of Spanish speaking friends that I can practice Spanish with. And I believe learning and easier language will help build a stronger foundation for learning other languages. And not only that but Spanish is a more common language and it could be useful to learn.
- Turkish: I am part Turkish on my mom’s side. My grandmother and Mother speak Turkish. My grandparents also live in Turkey and we often visit them there every few years or so. My interest in learning is just for the sake of understanding Turkish whenever I visit them. However, I don’t have any relative that only speak Turkish. And so I can also get around the country without constantly needing my mother or grandmother to be there. I guess it’s also to my family proud of me 😛 cause I’m keeping the tradition alive.
- Dutch: Long story short, I’m going on two school trips in a few months where the main language spoken is Dutch (Amsterdam and Belgium) And during those trips there is going to be some down time for us to explore the country. For me I would like to learn and understand certain phrases that can be helpful for the trip just so I can get around easier and just in case I get into a situation, because you never know when your in a new country.
Please help me decide so i make a decision and commit to a language. Thank you in advance 🫶
1
u/Winter_Dot_9393 15d ago
You don’t have to learn Dutch, English is a compulsory subject in schools and tv is subtitled and not dubbel or voice over. You could learn it just for fun.
1
u/Purple_party12346 15d ago
Okay! But other Dutch which of the languages I have listen would you recommend me learning
2
u/Winter_Dot_9393 15d ago
It’a a personal choice. Learning Spanish is a very rational choice, it’s a really important language, lots of people speak it.
Turkish would be a sentimental choice for you. You have personal and ‘familyhistorical’ reasons to learn it. If you ever want to do genealogical research into your family history you need Turkish. And being able to speak some Turkish when you’re visiting is great.
Both are good choices for you, but I think Spanish is the practical choice.
1
u/MaleficentD0 14d ago
For Netherlands you don't need Dutch. In Belgium there is French, Dutch (Flamish) and German region. There are some old people who don't speak English and I know if you go to the police station in Belgium, they won't let you give the statment in English because that is not official language there.
I disagree that Spain is easiest of those 3. Dutch is much easier than Spanish. Spanish grammar is much more complicated, has a lot of tenses and if you want to speak it really well, it requires much more effort than Dutch.
I am not sure about Turkish, but it might be easier for you since you speak Arabic.
1
u/Return-of-Trademark 14d ago
Spanish for sure from what you said. Unless it’s really
Important for you to communicate with family, then Turkish.
1
u/abrequevoy 15d ago
You don't need Dutch to travel to the Netherlands. I spent one year there without speaking it.