So, you’re fluent in Spanish, congratulations! But the thirst for language learning hasn’t been quenched. Knowing that Spanish and English won’t get you everywhere, you’re likely pondering, “What language should I learn next?” Here are six excellent languages to learn after Spanish, expanding your linguistic horizons and opening up new cultural experiences.
1. French: A Natural Progression
French is a logical choice after Spanish. English, with its numerous Romance loanwords (mostly French), and Spanish, a Romance language itself, provide a solid foundation. You’ll likely recognize many French words due to shared Latin roots. Furthermore, the complex grammar that often challenges French beginners will be less daunting thanks to your Spanish background. Mastering French unlocks communication with millions across Europe, Africa, and North America.
Tip: Prioritize listening comprehension early on, as French pronunciation can be tricky. A strong foundation in listening will pave the way for fluency.
2. Portuguese: Leveraging Linguistic Similarities
The striking similarities between Spanish and Portuguese allow many Spanish speakers to understand written Portuguese with minimal effort. However, the 220 million native Portuguese speakers appreciate those who go beyond Portuñol (a mix of Spanish and Portuguese). Fluency in Portuguese demonstrates a genuine commitment to understanding their language and culture.
Tip: To avoid mixing Spanish and Portuguese, achieve a high level of fluency in Spanish first. Then, utilize translation exercises between the two languages to solidify the distinct grammatical rules of each.
3. German: Building on Grammatical Foundations
German grammar, often perceived as difficult, is actually just different. Your experience with Spanish grammar, particularly with the subjunctive and grammatical gender, will be a significant advantage. Basic German vocabulary often resembles English, while more complex words share Latin roots with Spanish. Mastering German, along with English and Spanish, essentially unlocks both Germanic and Romance languages.
Tip: Deutsche Welle offers excellent free resources for German learners, including some content available in Spanish.
4. Arabic: Exploring a New Linguistic Landscape
Arabic presents a unique challenge, being unrelated to English or Spanish. However, centuries of Moorish influence on Spain resulted in shared vocabulary, particularly in words related to food and housing. Learning Arabic opens up communication with millions across the Middle East and North Africa, and adds a valuable skill to your linguistic repertoire.
Tip: Familiarize yourself with Aljamiado, a historical system of writing Spanish using the Arabic script. This can ease the transition to reading Arabic.
5. Indonesian: A Surprisingly Accessible Language
Indonesian, spoken by millions in Southeast Asia and globally due to a large diaspora, boasts simple grammar and pronunciation for English and Spanish speakers. While unrelated, Indonesian shares some Arabic-derived vocabulary with Spanish due to historical influences. Moreover, advanced Indonesian vocabulary often utilizes Latin-based words, resembling English and Spanish.
Tip: Focus on consistent vocabulary review to overcome the initial hurdle of unfamiliar words.
6. Russian: Embracing the Challenge
Russian, with its Cyrillic script and complex grammar, presents a significant challenge. Yet, certain grammatical structures and sounds resonate with Spanish. For instance, both languages use a similar construction for expressing “I like it.” Prior experience with Spanish sounds like ñ and rr will also be beneficial. Furthermore, Russian borrows heavily from Latin and French for technical, political, and luxury-related terms.
Tip: Immerse yourself in Russian listening and reading materials to familiarize yourself with the Cyrillic script and sound patterns.
Learning any language after Spanish offers unique advantages due to shared vocabulary, similar grammatical structures, and the invaluable experience of knowing how to learn a language. So, which language will you conquer next?
