Current Events > In today's world, which language is more important: Mandarin Chinese or Spanish?

(+) Yeah! (+)

I'm pretty sure these are the biggest languages other than English in the United States and in the world. So you could say they are the second-most and third-most important languages. But which one would you give second place?
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Mandarin
Arab
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Chinese may be the most spoken in the world but is pretty much useless outside of China. Spanish is spoken in 21 countries officially and much more unofficially. My brain tells me I should be learning Spanish but I'm just so damn interested in Italian.
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Mandarin opens you up for jobs but Spanish opens you up for hella traveling opportunities given how widespread it is
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Spanish for sure. Then again I live in California soz.
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Chinese is quickly becoming a third language in Los Angeles. Spanish is useful to communicate with the older latino generation. Most of the younger latino base speak english, even the illegals, because in Mexico they teach English and in some Mexican cities, english is mandatory. Not in china though. China they dont bother teaching english as much as they do in Mexico. Chinese influence and Chinese long term investors are only getting bigger in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

But if your in Texas, Florida, NYC, I suppose spanish would be more useful for now.

With the rising Hispanic population in the US.
Spanish is a must in various consumer end jobs or trades/education fields.
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Spanish is huge right now and spoken in a wide variety of places (plenty of popular vacation destinations fall into this category).

In the future, who knows? China seems poised to become the dominant and potentially only power left on the world stage.
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I'm guessing Spanish is used more throughout the world, so that.
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How do you define "important"?
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In America, Spanish by a long shot
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masticatingman posted...

In America, Spanish by a long shot

Again, depends on how you define important

Its not the most valuable 2nd language in terms of income

In terms of everyday use yes
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Darkrobotisback posted...

With the rising Hispanic population in the US.
Spanish is a must in various consumer end jobs or trades/education fields.

But most of the Americans speaking Spanish are those with a Hispanic heritage. I don't see that many whites, blacks, or even asians speaking Spanish, and I live in San Diego.

It'll be interesting to see this country in 30 years. The Mexicans will spread from the southwest going northeast and the Cubans will spread from Florida going Northwest. I don't know how big the Puerto Rican population is in NY but could possibly factor in as well. It wouldn't be such a bad thing to start learning Spanish especially if your job is heavy with customer service. It'll make you stand out and give them a reason to keep you. Personally I am fascinated with the Italian language. Even though my brain is telling me I should be learning Spanish. Especially living in the southwest.
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