Latin or Russian: Which language do you think is more useful to learn?

[truizm]

I'm interested in learning both languages, but I'm actually leaning towards learning Russian first because of my interest in Russian literature.

Which language do you think is more useful to learn? Why?

[mot78]

1. Latin

Because it makes almost every Western European language easier to learn.

[Melodybe]

3. Latin, knowing latin rocks because you'll never be confused about science

terms again.

[Doosh]

2. russian

[EstimatedProphet]

4. It depends on your definition of "useful"

Latin is useful as a base for all the European languages. Russian is useful because of a rich history, and Russia's standing as an econimic power.
BTW I studied both, so that's doable too.

[k in IA]

5. Latin because it is the root of so many languages that you can figure out

what words in many different languages mean.

[Dookus]

6. Latin is probably more useful...

but why not learn both?

[amazona]

7. russian

Russian is a living language. When I was studying science, the accepted second languages for credit were Russian, German, French.

Latin is dead, Jim. The argument that you need Latin to study biology seems silly to me. I don't know why you would need to take on a whole language and grammar to remember the name of species you're studying; it's just two words per species, not a whole grammar, it just isn't that hard. It is cute to know the meaning of names, but you probably know them without studying anyway. A favorite of mine is Tyrannus tyrannus, the Eastern Kingbird. And it can have a bit of attitude!

If I wanted to study a Romance language as a basis for learning other languages, I would start with Spanish, but I would at least learn a language that is actually spoken, be it French, Italian, whatever. Latin would be way down on my list.

Just my humble opinion.

[cheezus]

8. Big Hat

Do you speak Polish?
It's either that or Latin
To talk to the Pope

[Kellanved]

9. Depends

Latin is a great help to figure out modern European languages, making it easier to learn them and even to figure out simple texts with no special training at all.
But outside the ivory tower Latin alone is not very useful, Russian certainly is.

Consider that Latin is a very neat, logical language using the same alphabet (Latin, duh). Russian can be hard at first, or so I was told.

[Nikia]

10. Russian

As people mentioned before, it is a living language. That means that not only are there living speakers as their first language but that there is a lot of modern research and literature written in it.

[truizm]

13. This is what I was thinking too

Do you speak Russian? If so, how difficult did you find it to learn?

[Nikia]

16. Somewhat

It isn't as easy as French or other Romance languages. It has a different grammar system and different alphabet. It isn't too hard though.

[AlFrankenFan]

11. Latin

Helps you better in English and makes loads other languages easier to learn. And, I'm taking it freshman year in high school! :P

[mobuto]

12. Latin

Now, I'd much rather learn Russian, because I'd love to be able to read Dostoevsky and Turgenev in the original and communicate intellibly while in Russia. But a hell of a lot of Russians know English, so that pretty much obviates the need for learning Russian, whereas Latin provides skills applicable to a variety of disciplines.

[truizm]

17. What specific skills?

Science - not interested in
Law - not interested in
Medicine - not interested in

People say learning Latin increases your vocabulary. Are there not more efficient ways for an individual to improve his or he vocab than to learn an entire dead language?

People say learning Latin will somehow make you more a logical person. All languages contain an inner logic of their own, so I don't see this as a reason to learn Latin.

[aljones]

14. Four years of Latin, wish i had taken russian now!!

[truizm]

15. Why's that?

[JVS]

18. Of French, German, and Russian I am supposed to know 2 for my grad program

Latin isn't on the list. Thus I conclude that Russian is better than Latin as far as being useful. Also most works written in Latin have been translated and very few new works are appearing. Works in Russian are often not to be had in English and Russian authors continue to generate new works.

[MAlibdem]

19. latin is good for understanding english grammar

sentence parts and all that.

[Angelus]

20. Russian...

At least you can talk to many people who speak Russian...how many people do you know that speak Latin????? I'm bettin' none. :)

[truizm]

21. kick

[Canuckistanian]

22. Russian is the 5th most widely spoken language

By number of speakers, I think.
I took it in University.

Za vasha zdrovie!
:toast:

[MrScorpio]

23. Go with Russian

That way you can date cute Russian babes.

Beside, Latin makes you look like a pretentious asshole.

[truizm]

24. Thanks to all for the input. I think I've decided on Russian.