Should I learn French or Italian?

Why did you decide to take a language?

I’d take Chinese if I had the chance.

Is there a reason why you can’t take both French and Italian? Personally, I can’t see that either of those is particularly relevant to architecture. (German, maybe.) Take what you like; where would you prefer to spend time after you graduate?

Considering where most of the development is likely to occur in the next couple decades, I would go with Chinese (standard Mandarin) or Indian (Hindi).

I took Spanish in high school so I’m looking to learn a new language and I’ve narrowed it down to French and Italian as the two that I find most appealing.

Italian, it’s a lot more rare among Americans. So you might get unique opportunitie

Which country’s culture interests you more? French cooking, Italian opera, French paintings, Italian sculpture, French countryside, Italian history, French style, Italian fashion, French poetry, Italian movies… etc.?

This? or this?

I would say Italian would be slightly less complicated than French, otherwise whichever language attracts you.

Italian. If only because one of us should learn Italian and after a couple of years of trying I have a feeling it’s not going to be me. And it’s a beautiful language. Maybe not as useful as French, which is spoken in more places, but…. go for Italian, for no particularly good reason.

French would probably be more beneficial.

Assuming you’re fluent in English, Italian is much easier to learn than French but French is more practical. Only Italians speak Italian but lots of countries speak French.

Learn Italian and then go apprentice with Renzo Piano. He has a great office in Genoa. What French architects do you admire? Come on.

I think both language are good. You should learn the language which you require more.

Italian is a little easier. Both spelling and pronunciation.

I woul say Italian for sure! There is just something about Italy-people-men!-language sooo sexy about it. So I say go for Italian.

I think Italian is closer to Spanish than French is, so that should make it easier for you to learn it. You have to decide what criteria to use in choosing a language. Is it practicality, ease of learning or the language itself? If it were my choice, I would go with Italian, because I think it is a rather beautiful language. In greeting the day, which would you prefer, bon jour or buon giorno?

French is the 2nd most widely spoken language in the world. In other words its spoken in more places rather than by more people. If you are already fluent in English, and another European language is on the table, French or Spanish make the most sense. Of course if you have a specific goal in mind like I wanted to talk to my Fiancées parents in Russian, then what ever language suits your goal the best is the best idea.

Italian. Duh ;)

@LKidKyle1985 Actually French is the 14th most widely spoken language. Spanish is 2nd, way behind Mandarin Chinese (English coming in a close 3rd).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_languages_by_number_of_native_speakers

Je parle couramment francais.

I’m a cheerleader for French. With all due respect to anyone who speaks Italian, it’s my opinion that French is the most beautiful language of all. When I speak French, it’s as if my voice has been transformed into a musical instrument. Also, if you live in the U.S., French is an increasingly dominant and useful language. In recent years, the U.S. has had significant immigration from French-speaking African countries.

@tedd like I said I wasn’t going based on population that speaks it, but its reach.

http://www.fll.vt.edu/French/whyfrench.html

@CyanoticWasp hello,May I know why you’d take Chinese and your attitude towards the Chinese?

@jesienne hi there. (I’ve been away for awhile, and just now catching up.)

I’d like to know Chinese because China has the world’s #2 economy… for now, and they’re starting to eat our lunch. Because China has the largest population of any country in the world. Because I’ve been to China and I’d love to go again and speak with natives there.

Because Chinese women are hot. That’s probably the main reason.