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What language should an engineer learn?

 Language Learning Forum : Languages & Work Post Reply
22 messages over 3 pages: 13  Next >>
Serpent
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Russian Federation
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 Message 9 of 22
18 June 2013 at 9:27pm | IP Logged 
As for taking classes in the language, chances are you'd have to prove your level before the summer and not after, which gives you less time.
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Sunja
Diglot
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Germany
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 Message 10 of 22
18 June 2013 at 11:37pm | IP Logged 
Just to throw an example to what tarvos said, I teach a small group of engineers who are learning German and they specialize in aircraft galleys.

Would it be possible to look for a specialization first, and then decide on the language? Have you tried engineering journals and magazines? It might be useful to try to research where the various markets are located.
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Jarel
Diglot
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 Message 11 of 22
20 June 2013 at 11:18am | IP Logged 
Germany is a heaven for engineers; it's an engineering society. In my time spent there, German culture made me feel that the country is there for engineers and artists; and rest of the people are there to serve them.
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nonneb
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 Message 12 of 22
20 June 2013 at 6:50pm | IP Logged 
Jarel wrote:
German culture made me feel that the country is there for engineers and
artists; and rest of the people are there to serve them.


I agree with you completely on the engineer vibe, but I kind of feel like we may have
been in different countries pertaining to their view on artists.

OP, I would say Italian would be a slightly easier language to learn: more shared
vocab, some people find the grammar easier than German grammar, but the difference
won't be gigantic (like with Japanese) I wouldn't base my decision on that. Like
someone else said, watch a few German and Italian films or TV shows with subtitles,
read a few books from the respective countries (in English), and see what culture
appeals to you more and what language sounds nicer to you. Learning the language to
work in engineering is a great goal, but you'll probably need more than that to become
proficient (it will at least make it a lot easier).
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Logpile98
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 Message 13 of 22
20 June 2013 at 11:11pm | IP Logged 
Really, I love both cultures, but I will check them out more and see which one I like better. Really, I'm not
leaning towards one or the other, but Japanese is about out of the picture because that culture doesn't appeal
to me as much as Germany or Italy. If I don't make up my mind, it just might come down to which one fits in
my schedule better haha.
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Jarel
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 Message 14 of 22
21 June 2013 at 8:22am | IP Logged 
nonneb wrote:
Jarel wrote:
German culture made me feel that the country is there for engineers and
artists; and rest of the people are there to serve them.


I agree with you completely on the engineer vibe, but I kind of feel like we may have
been in different countries pertaining to their view on artists.



I checked the dictionary and i used to wrong word indeed; what i had in mind was "designer".
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montmorency
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 Message 15 of 22
21 June 2013 at 10:24pm | IP Logged 
Jarel wrote:
nonneb wrote:
Jarel wrote:
German culture made me feel that the
country is there for engineers and
artists; and rest of the people are there to serve them.


I agree with you completely on the engineer vibe, but I kind of feel like we may have
been in different countries pertaining to their view on artists.



I checked the dictionary and i used to wrong word indeed; what i had in mind was
"designer".



And to slightly complicate the picture, there is a sub-branch of engineering known as
"design engineering".


To the OP, I'd say that yes, it might indeed come down to basic practicalities
like which one can be made to fit your schedule, etc, but in any case, I'd say before
committing yourself, it would be good to get in some sampling of each language, to help
find out what best appeals. If it all works out, you are going to be living with that
language for a fair time.


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tibbles
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United States
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 Message 16 of 22
22 June 2013 at 9:40am | IP Logged 
My advice is that you keep investigating the overseas engineering programs available and choose the one that you find most appealing from a technical perspective. It's pretty common for 3rd and 4th year engineering courses overseas to be taught in English or at the very least use an English language textbook, so you won't need much proficiency in another language to succeed. Of course, once you settle upon a country/university, then by all means do learn the language so that you can have a fulfilling life experience outside of the engineering classroom or lab.


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