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Theme Changer

 Topic: A question; French or German?

 (Read 8891 times)
  • 12 3 Next page « Previous thread | Next thread »
  • A question; French or German?
     OP - May 11, 2010, 02:05 PM

    I have the opportunity to go to Paris, France for nine months next year, or to Munich, Germany for nine months. I thought it would be an easy choice but now I'm ripping my hair out trying to figure out where I want to go. I think I'd rather learn French but I'd prefer to go to Munich, and the more I think about it, the more I want to learn German.

    Basically, I just want as many opinions as I can on this; whatever they are.

    Which language of the two is harder? Which one of the two would you want to learn? Would you prefer spending nine months in Paris or Munich? Which of the two languages - German or French - is more practical to learn?

    Sorry for all the questions. My parents are pretty useless with this. Their answer to learning French was "depends if you want to spend nine months living with the French", and their answer to German was "depends if you want to spend nine months living with the Germans".  Cheesy
  • Re: A question; French or German?
     Reply #1 - May 11, 2010, 02:21 PM

    German sounds awesome, and you'll probably understand quite a bit of the written words.
    French sounds horrible but you can use it to show off  Tongue

    I've been to Paris but never Munich, Paris isn't much in my opinion .

    Of course I'm biased, I have to learn French in my school and I'm not getting any better so I'm starting to dislike it.
  • Re: A question; French or German?
     Reply #2 - May 11, 2010, 02:37 PM

    I can't respond objectively since I learned French very young (at the same time as my native language, basically).

    I do believe German would be easier for you to learn, though, and I always had much more interest in learning it than any other language.

    Also, don't go to Paris. Seriously, it sucks. A few beautiful places to visit and that's it.

    He's no friend to the friendless
    And he's the mother of grief
    There's only sorrow for tomorrow
    Surely life is too brief
  • Re: A question; French or German?
     Reply #3 - May 11, 2010, 02:38 PM

    Germany is the best place in the world.  Though I'm a bit biased.  Tongue
  • Re: A question; French or German?
     Reply #4 - May 11, 2010, 02:57 PM

    I've been to Paris and I found it very dirty... But hey, learning the "better" (more practical / nicer / etc language) plays a big, big part for me...

    But Munich does look nice, I heard it is one of the "best" cities to live in (in terms of standards of living and cleanliness)...





  • Re: A question; French or German?
     Reply #5 - May 11, 2010, 03:01 PM

    I would rather go to Germany to be honest. The thing is, when most people go to Europe, they just go to Paris, or Rome and thats it. I think Germany is a better choice (beer!). In the future you should go to Prague Afro

    "The more I study religions the more I am convinced that man never worshiped anything but himself."
    ~Sir Richard Francis Burton

    "I think religion is just like smoking: Both invented by people, addictive, harmful, and kills!"
    ~RIBS
  • Re: A question; French or German?
     Reply #6 - May 11, 2010, 03:12 PM

    Paris isn't all its cracked up to be.  Its over priced, everybody is rude, and the Champs Elysee is full of the depressing sight of people dripping with bling and diamonds casually stepping over destitute beggars on the pavement.

    Never been to Munich, but if I had the choice I'd take my chances with the Germans.

    "Befriend them not, Oh murtads, and give them neither parrot nor bunny."  - happymurtad's advice on trolls.
  • Re: A question; French or German?
     Reply #7 - May 11, 2010, 03:15 PM

    Quote
    Paris isn't all its cracked up to be.  Its over priced, everybody is rude, and the Champs Elysee is full of the depressing sight of people dripping with bling and diamonds casually stepping over destitute beggars on the pavement.


    +1

    This is exactly what I heard when some 11th grade students from my former high school came back from Paris.

    Honestly, people need to see the real side of Europe, not just Paris lol. What I mean is, go to Budapest, Prague, Moscow, Helsinki and Krakow. Such amazing cities with beautiful sights and history and yet people throw them out the window. Sorry I'm on a bit of a rant

    "The more I study religions the more I am convinced that man never worshiped anything but himself."
    ~Sir Richard Francis Burton

    "I think religion is just like smoking: Both invented by people, addictive, harmful, and kills!"
    ~RIBS
  • Re: A question; French or German?
     Reply #8 - May 11, 2010, 03:16 PM

    Germany, no doubt. Never been to Munich, but been to Berlin and it's fucking awesome. Paris gets boring after a while.

    Also, German is easier for English-speakers.

    Quote
    Paris isn't all its cracked up to be.  Its over priced, everybody is rude, and the Champs Elysee is full of the depressing sight of people dripping with bling and diamonds casually stepping over destitute beggars on the pavement.

    So true. I couldn't fucking stand that street.
  • Re: A question; French or German?
     Reply #9 - May 11, 2010, 03:20 PM

    I'd pick Germany.
    From what I understood, German chicks are hot and more open minded.
    And life in Germany is not much expensive.

    And they love pork and beer!

    Do not look directly at the operational end of the device.
  • Re: A question; French or German?
     Reply #10 - May 11, 2010, 03:21 PM

    Parisians drive like maniacs too - Paris is the only place I've ever been in a car accident, they drive like they're on a bumper car rink.

    "Befriend them not, Oh murtads, and give them neither parrot nor bunny."  - happymurtad's advice on trolls.
  • Re: A question; French or German?
     Reply #11 - May 11, 2010, 03:25 PM

    If Paris is your only choice then go to Germany. The  chic,cool,hip paris doesnt not exist except in films and they are even more rude than londoners.  Having said that ,as to relevance , then French is the more useful of the two languages as it is spoken in some african countries and Canada. German is good for Switzerland and austria.  Of the two ( assuming english is your first langauge) then German would be the easiest as it has sounds and grammar you would be more familiar with, french has waaaay to many silent letters ,if ever there is a global consonant and vowel shortage crisis blame it on French prolifigacy.    
    Probably not helped you at all but thats my take on it . However if you could get to a smaller town to the south, ie Montepelier or the like then that would be my choice

    According to the polls only 1.6 % of Americans are athiests. So what gives you the right to call the other 80% morons?'
  • Re: A question; French or German?
     Reply #12 - May 11, 2010, 03:26 PM

    Parisians drive like maniacs too - Paris is the only place I've ever been in a car accident, they drive like they're on a bumper car rink.

    That's because you haven't been to Quebec or Kuwait. Kuwait has a warning about driving in its Wikitravel page.

    Quote
    However, it should be noted that driving in Kuwait, especially when new to driving in the country, can be extremely chaotic and frightening. Turn signals and lane divisions are effectively optional, speeding and aggressive driving is commonplace, and there is little active enforcement of traffic laws. Recently a law was passed to disallow the use of cell phones while driving (including but not limited to voice calls and text messaging or SMS.)

     http://wikitravel.org/en/Kuwait#Get_around

     dance
  • Re: A question; French or German?
     Reply #13 - May 11, 2010, 03:30 PM

    Go Germany, I've been there a few times and I much preferred it over Paris.

    Paris (the part I was in) just reminded me of certain places I grew up in.   Roll Eyes  Moroccans roaming the streets acting thuggish, oh yeah, really cool.


    Inhale the good shit, exhale the bullshit.
  • Re: A question; French or German?
     Reply #14 - May 11, 2010, 03:30 PM

    German is good for Switzerland and austria.


    They speak Swiss-German in Switzerland, it's very different than German in Germany, or so my German friend told me.
  • Re: A question; French or German?
     Reply #15 - May 11, 2010, 03:33 PM

    Germans also speak different dialects in different parts of the country.
  • Re: A question; French or German?
     Reply #16 - May 11, 2010, 03:37 PM

    Yes Swiss german is different. But everyone who speaks swiss german can also talk high german. So thats no problem.

    I would recomend german too, you can go to switzerland and austria aswell if you speak german.

    "We are never deceived, we deceive ourselves." - from Goethes Faust
    "Only the wisest and the stupidest men never change." - Confuzios
    "there is no religion of peace, only people who are peaceful while being religious."
  • Re: A question; French or German?
     Reply #17 - May 11, 2010, 03:43 PM

    Germans also speak different dialects in different parts of the country.


    Not all french people speak french the way its spoken in Paris either - try understanding people in the Languedoc with Parisian french, its practically a different language.  Not to mention the variety of patois and dialects which exist across the wider francophone world. 

    I'd definitely opt for german.

    "Befriend them not, Oh murtads, and give them neither parrot nor bunny."  - happymurtad's advice on trolls.
  • Re: A question; French or German?
     Reply #18 - May 11, 2010, 03:46 PM

    Quote
    Not to mention the variety of patois and dialects which exist across the wider francophone world. 

    That's so true. When Parisians come to Montreal they have to speak English to be understood.
  • Re: A question; French or German?
     Reply #19 - May 11, 2010, 03:52 PM

    Thanks for the opinions everyone, please keep them coming. I'd just like to know each and everyone's opinion so it can hopefully make it clearer for me. The more I think about it and the more I think I'd want to learn German.

    Also, I've heard German grammar is shockingly hard, does anyone know much about that?  Huh?
  • Re: A question; French or German?
     Reply #20 - May 11, 2010, 03:54 PM

    Its not that hard.  Overall I'd say its an easier language to learn than French, even though there are a few more grammar rules.  It just means a bit more learning off by heart that's all.

    "Befriend them not, Oh murtads, and give them neither parrot nor bunny."  - happymurtad's advice on trolls.
  • Re: A question; French or German?
     Reply #21 - May 11, 2010, 07:38 PM

    At least every letter is pronounced in German.  Cheesy

    I've studied both German and French in High School & Uni and yes German I find is easier to pick up, though I still love the way French sounds too.

    "Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused."
  • Re: A question; French or German?
     Reply #22 - May 11, 2010, 11:29 PM

    Learning German fried my brain! I do think grapsing the fundamentals is very important at first. But Germans are great people from my experience. Can't say much about the French, not had the same experience as with the Germans. Good luck.

    PS: Hamburg is an unknown diamond city! Beat's Munich's bacon any day. Munich is good though.
  • Re: A question; French or German?
     Reply #23 - May 11, 2010, 11:57 PM

    German is good for Switzerland and austria.

    And Italy. It's an official language in Südtirol

    Do not look directly at the operational end of the device.
  • Re: A question; French or German?
     Reply #24 - May 12, 2010, 01:18 AM

    I'd pick Germany.
    From what I understood, German chicks are hot and more open minded.
    And life in Germany is not much expensive.

    And they love pork and beer!


    My high school prom date was from Germany.  From that limited sample size I will say German women are the freakiest, hottest, wildest group I know of.  Cheers!

    So once again I'm left with the classic Irish man's dilemma, do I eat the potato or do I let it ferment so I can drink it later?
    My political philosophy below
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwGat4i8pJI&feature=g-vrec
    Just kidding, here are some true heros
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBTgvK6LQqA
  • Re: A question; French or German?
     Reply #25 - May 12, 2010, 03:16 AM

    Which of the two languages - German or French - is more practical to learn?


    French in the sense that Romance languages are much more widely spoken than Germanic languages (with the obvious exception of English, which you already know). If you master French it will become easier to then learn Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, etc. Plus French is spoken in many of France's former colonial possessions throughout the world. Knowing German is fairly useless outside of Europe.

    fuck you
  • Re: A question; French or German?
     Reply #26 - May 12, 2010, 03:22 AM

    Esperanto, obv. 

    So once again I'm left with the classic Irish man's dilemma, do I eat the potato or do I let it ferment so I can drink it later?
    My political philosophy below
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwGat4i8pJI&feature=g-vrec
    Just kidding, here are some true heros
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBTgvK6LQqA
  • Re: A question; French or German?
     Reply #27 - May 12, 2010, 08:40 AM

    everybody is rude


    Before I went there I was told not to believe it, that it was just a stereotype and all that, but I had my first encounter with a very rude old lady on the goddamned train from the goddamned airport  wacko

    He's no friend to the friendless
    And he's the mother of grief
    There's only sorrow for tomorrow
    Surely life is too brief
  • Re: A question; French or German?
     Reply #28 - May 12, 2010, 08:46 AM

    Paris (the part I was in) just reminded me of certain places I grew up in.   Roll Eyes  Moroccans roaming the streets acting thuggish, oh yeah, really cool.


    Oh god tell me about it. Arabic is basically the only language spoken in the subway. I made a game out of it: 'recognize the country of origin'. Tunisians won.

    Also, what the hell is up with teenagers saying disgusting and offensive things, assuming nobody understands their language? I had a hard time keeping my mouth shut.

    He's no friend to the friendless
    And he's the mother of grief
    There's only sorrow for tomorrow
    Surely life is too brief
  • Re: A question; French or German?
     Reply #29 - May 12, 2010, 09:37 AM

    Unequivocally, German. Munich looks awesome in those pics too.

    The language of the mob was only the language of public opinion cleansed of hypocrisy and restraint - Hannah Arendt.
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