french

It lacks the punctuated force of it’s parent, Latin, but it’s running silver river of words is a joy to have. Further, the lingua franca value if you are an academic is huge, to be able to read the books in the source language is hugely valuable. As a philosophy grad I found it very helpful and enjoyable to read the 20th century’s most notable thinkers in their native languages (English and French, dominantly)

You look much cooler ordering food in French at French restaurants too.

The French love their language, very much, so finding any French person with whom to practice should not be too hard.

France is a beautiful country and should you visit you’ll be glad to have more than just a few crumbs of French under your belt. It also exposes you to some rich grammatical ideas that don’t exist in English ( or exist only barely ) that give you a new appreciation for how subtly and richly a person can express his thoughts ( jussive subjunctive, purpose subjunctives, etc. ).

You will also train your ear ( syllabation differences ) and may learn to appreciate music better as a consequence!

I want to be fluently speaking, reading and writing French within 2 years. I also want to have taken my German to a fluent level within a year… so, say, by the October after next (just to be generous, as it IS only July)...

I didn’t want to add this goal, but I put it here instead of there!
(stupid girl I am)
(And it’s not the first time I make such a mistake)
(does anyone know how delete a thing? is it possible ?)

but I speak French fluently, so I may be able to answer your questions :)