How many languages... (Torah, tradition, blood, America, mission)

[evearael]

How many languages do you speak? Which ones? Why did you choose to study that particular language, or is it traditional in your culture?

Currently I'm learning Arabic-yay! It's really fun to write: lots of pretty squiggly lines. I want to be able to read the Koran in its native tongue and be conversant.

I've also studied the following languages, and forgotten most of them because I've had no one to talk to (sob!):
Japanese - Because I was fascinated by Asian culture (and anime)...
Chinese - Asian culture. Learning Chinese (Mandarin) really helped my Japanese.
French - Because it was supposed to be difficult.
Hebrew - So I could read the Torah. I really want to pick it back up, now, since I know people moving there. Learning Hebrew is really helping my Arabic.
German - Because it was supposed to be difficult. I had more trouble with this one than any of the others.

[jewscout]

i can speak American, German, and i can read Hebrew ok...it's coming slow though

but hey i'll have a whole lifetime to learn it!

[SoyLeche]

I speek English and Spanish. I started learing Spanish in Junior High, because it was the thing to do. I really learned Spanish while I lived in Peru for 2 years as a missionary.

[standing_alone]

Originally Posted by evearael

How many languages do you speak?

I guess I could claim two, but one of them, I speak not so well - basically since I haven't really spoken it regularly enough for about two or three years.

Originally Posted by evearael

Which ones?

Well, I am fluent in English , and well, I'm losing more and more of my German everyday.

Originally Posted by evearael

Why did you choose to study that particular language

I decided to study German because I am of mostly German and Austrian descent and wanted to go to Germany someday. Now that I've seen Germany and Austria, I guess I don't really need to remember it as much. Actually, I plan to study it some more on my own, but we'll see how that goes.

[angellous_evangellous]

I can speak in English and gibberish, some Spanish

I can read Greek, German, French, Hebrew, some Latin, and a little Hebrew

[Ormiston]

English. I studied German all through high school because I just thought it was cooler than Spanish or French. I can read and write a little, but can't speak much of any (German that is). I ain't got no problems with my English though.

[Bishka]

I speak English just as well as the next AmeriKan!
I also took American Sign Language for a year in high school and I sign a bit. I know bits and pieces of Spanish but not well enough to read or speak it.

[michel]

I can still remember a couple of phrases in Kiswahili (my first lamguage), followed by French (in which I am fluent but with a restricted vocabulary - because I don't often get the chance to use it), conversational Spanish,oops, I forgot English........a smattering of Italian.

I don't know why , but I have always wanted to learn Hebrew. (To be fair though, that is typical of me; If I am going to do something, iI always look for some really difficult task)

[jeffrey]

I got a little more then half the English language nailed down. My wife says it's less then that, her being a Brit and all and that us Americans bloody torture the English language.

[Bishka]

Like Michel said,

I've actually always wanted to learn Hebrew as well, I also want to learn Gaelic and Welsh.