4 ms·

Basically, it seems that thinking in a second language involves or engages more thinking and less "reflexive" responses. So, if one were to choose to learn/ren

by toss1 3y ago

Basically, it seems that thinking in a second language involves or engages more thinking and less "reflexive" responses. So, if one were to choose to learn/renew a language that encourages better thinking, which ones are best? Anyone have any examples with multiple languages and feeling that one or another helped them think better? (I'm currently choosing a language to learn/relearn among the EU languages, so interested in suggestions - thx)

bibanez 3y ago
German for sure, as a romanic language speaker. I don't know for sure what I would recommend if your mother tongue is English. Maybe German as well!
svilen_dobrev 3y ago
try a) something very different b) something close (but not too much) note, words/notions themselves, is different beast from constructs, both may give or take abilities
mandmandam 3y ago
> if one were to choose to learn/renew a language that encourages better thinking, which ones are best? Honestly it probably doesn't matter all that much. European languages are all pretty connected, in the scheme of things, and have much more in common with each other than you'd expect at first or second glance. That said, Spanish seems a safe bet, as per tfa. Coupled with the fact that so many people speak it, you could certainly do worse. I'm currently learning it, with the help of some lion's mane, and it does feel like a worthy pursuit. If I had to guess at a real answer to your interesting question though, I'd have to guess Russian. They've had a ridiculous amount of high-quality thought and literature, relative to their resources and population size.
e12e 3y ago
> among the EU languages I suspect learning a language that is actually substantially different has a more profound effect - so assuming your native language is English - maybe Finnish, Basque or Gaelic?
permalac 3y ago
Try catalan. Is somehow nice, sounds nice. Is not easy but does not have as many rules as others, and can be used as bridge between French, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish. Also, Andorra has now made it mandatory to be able to keep tour residency so that's a plus.

by toss1 3y ago

bibanez 3y ago

German for sure, as a romanic language speaker. I don't know for sure what I would recommend if your mother tongue is English. Maybe German as well!

svilen_dobrev 3y ago

try a) something very different b) something close (but not too much) note, words/notions themselves, is different beast from constructs, both may give or take abilities

mandmandam 3y ago

> if one were to choose to learn/renew a language that encourages better thinking, which ones are best? Honestly it probably doesn't matter all that much. European languages are all pretty connected, in the scheme of things, and have much more in common with each other than you'd expect at first or second glance. That said, Spanish seems a safe bet, as per tfa. Coupled with the fact that so many people speak it, you could certainly do worse. I'm currently learning it, with the help of some lion's mane, and it does feel like a worthy pursuit. If I had to guess at a real answer to your interesting question though, I'd have to guess Russian. They've had a ridiculous amount of high-quality thought and literature, relative to their resources and population size.

e12e 3y ago

> among the EU languages I suspect learning a language that is actually substantially different has a more profound effect - so assuming your native language is English - maybe Finnish, Basque or Gaelic?

permalac 3y ago

Try catalan. Is somehow nice, sounds nice. Is not easy but does not have as many rules as others, and can be used as bridge between French, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish. Also, Andorra has now made it mandatory to be able to keep tour residency so that's a plus.