Best language to know for biomedical research field

[clarkalim]

Hey guys!!

I thought this question that somebody else posted in another forum was interesting because I've always kinda had the same question.

What do you think is more useful in the biomedical research field to know, IN the USA: Spanish, Chinese, French, German, or Japanese?

What do you think is more useful in the biomedical research field to know, OUTSIDE of the USA: Spanish, Chinese, French, German, or Japanese?

And what if you're a physician AND a biomedical scientist? THEN WHAT LANGUAGE?? (IN THE USA and then OUTSIDE OF THE USA)

I'm kinda leaning toward Spanish and Mandarin...I really wanna learn Mandarin, myself. Cuz I'm tired of Spanish too...I'm from California so I grew up around it, and like EVERYONE took Spanish in high school here. Sooo...yeah.

😉

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[Barcu]

Um, learn Spanish.

It may seem like everyone takes Spanish. But while I was on the interview trail, I was surprised by the number of people who did not or thought that taking some in high school was sufficient (it's not).

Knowing Spanish and working with Spanish-speaking pts was a HUGE boost to my app that I did not expect because I thought it was so common.

That's for being a physician though.

For biomedical research, it doesn't matter. Everyone knows English anyway.

 

[McGillGrad]

German is the language of science, after English.

 

[clarkalim]

Um, learn Spanish.

It may seem like everyone takes Spanish. But while I was on the interview trail, I was surprised by the number of people who did not or thought that taking some in high school was sufficient (it's not).

Knowing Spanish and working with Spanish-speaking pts was a HUGE boost to my app that I did not expect because I thought it was so common.

That's for being a physician though.

For biomedical research, it doesn't matter. Everyone knows English anyway.

Even biomedical researchers in other countries are very fluent in English?

 

[clarkalim]

German is the language of science, after English.

Should I take that seriously?

 

[Barcu]

Even biomedical researchers in other countries are very fluent in English?

For the most part I would say so. I think most scientific discourse, even at international conferences, is done in English.

If you wanted to go work in a country and do research there, certainly learn that language. That just makes things easier. But if you are just looking for a language to learn because you might need it to talk to other researchers, it probably isn't necessary.

Mandarin would probably be the best.

 

[McGillGrad]

Should I take that seriously?

I am going to take wild guess that you haven't done much basic science research.

 

[Galenos]

I'd recommend German too. As a rather closely related germanic language it should be the easiest choice. On the other hand one has to consider that German is of no great practical use besides science and significant German publications are always available in English. What's only available in German is either old and outdated or somewhat suspect and speculative - at least that's my experience as a student in Germany. But there are magnificent textbooks, which are unfortunately unavailable in English like Benninghoff's Anatomy in two volumes ( by far the best work on human anatomy I know of - and yes I know the English works -, it contain's almost everything known to science on that subject).
If you take the practical use into consideration, Spanish or Chinese should be the choice. But Chinese will probably take more time to master than any sound medical student has at his/her disposal.

Best regards

 

[clarkalim]

I am going to take wild guess that you haven't done much basic science research.

Hey man, well in your siggy it says not to take anything you said seriously...

Lol. Just kidding. I haven't done ANY basic science research yet, but I agree with you. German seems like a good choice based on a lot that I've read.

 

[clarkalim]

I'd recommend German too. As a rather closely related germanic language it should be the easiest choice. On the other hand one has to consider that German is of no great practical use besides science and significant German publications are always available in English. What's only available in German is either old and outdated or somewhat suspect and speculative - at least that's my experience as a student in Germany. But there are magnificent textbooks, which are unfortunately unavailable in English like Benninghoff's Anatomy in two volumes ( by far the best work on human anatomy I know of - and yes I know the English works -, it contain's almost everything known to science on that subject).
If you take the practical use into consideration, Spanish or Chinese should be the choice. But Chinese will probably take more time to master than any sound medical student has at his/her disposal.

Best regards

So if one had to choose between the two, would you say SPANISH or CHINESE would be the best choice?

 

[clarkalim]

For the most part I would say so. I think most scientific discourse, even at international conferences, is done in English.

If you wanted to go work in a country and do research there, certainly learn that language. That just makes things easier. But if you are just looking for a language to learn because you might need it to talk to other researchers, it probably isn't necessary.

Mandarin would probably be the best.

Why do you say Mandarin would be best?

 

[Galenos]

I'd say Spanish for the finite nature of time given to a human being. 😀
I hardly doubt one could achieve a good knowledge of the Chinese besides med school, the grammar is said to be easy though very foreign of course, but vocabulary and all the different signs will kill one.
To my knowledge, histology and pathology are strong in South America, so Spanish would be a good asset in those fields. Otherwise I guess it's use in medical research is rather restricted, Spain itself is not thought of good in matters of medical research in Germany (justified or unjustified I don't know?).

 

[clarkalim]

I'd say Spanish for the finite nature of time given to a human being. 😀
I hardly doubt one could achieve a good knowledge of the Chinese besides med school, the grammar is said to be easy though very foreign of course, but vocabulary and all the different signs will kill one.
To my knowledge, histology and pathology are strong in South America, so Spanish would be a good asset in those fields. Otherwise I guess it's use in medical research is rather restricted, Spain itself is not thought of good in matters of medical research in Germany (justified or unjustified I don't know?).

Hmmm. But, what if I could study abroad for two summers in Beijing to learn Mandarin? I wouldn't have to wait until medical school.

I really don't wanna learn spanish anymore even though i know i should lol

 

[jeffro1080]

English?

 

[clarkalim]

English?

lol i knew somebody was eventually gonna say that

 

[Barcu]

Why do you say Mandarin would be best?

No idea. Just based on China as an emerging power, the right answer always seems to be Chinese.

The language of research is English. You do not need to learn another language to interact with scientists from around the world.

Which is why my original answer was to learn Spanish if you are going to be a clinician.

 

[clarkalim]

No idea. Just based on China as an emerging power, the right answer always seems to be Chinese.

The language of research is English. You do not need to learn another language to interact with scientists from around the world.

Which is why my original answer was to learn Spanish if you are going to be a clinician.

True! I suppose I'll stick with Spanish then. Probably will be more impressive in med school interviews, too.

 

[TriagePreMed]

French is considered the second "international" language (this is not to be confused with second most spoken language), but also German is influential in the field of medicine.

 

[ksmi117]

Please don't post the same or similar threads in different forums. I'm merging these two threads together.

 

[unhappytnt]

I am gonna go ahead and say German too. Not that I did much scientific reading, but it's one of my majors so it's good to know it's applicable in science.😀

 

[Brachyury]

Biomedical research papers are primarily written in English, so you will be fine. Not to be a jerk, but instead of learning a foreign language, you might want to take a few English courses: 'cuz' and 'sooo' are not words, you incorrectly used an ellipsis, and using multiple question or exclamation marks makes you come-across as uneducated.

German has historically been the second language of science, but in 2011, anyone who speaks German will most likely speak English. Besides, while there are German language journals, important papers are published in English, not German.

Japanese and Chinese might be more practical, but if you are graduating in 2013, it will be impossible for you to become fluent in either of the two in such a short period of time.

If you have to take a foreign language, take Latin: not only is it easy to learn (and forget), but it will improve your writing skills.

 

[clarkalim]

Biomedical research papers are primarily written in English, so you will be fine. Not to be a jerk, but instead of learning a foreign language, you might want to take a few English courses: 'cuz' and 'sooo' are not words, you incorrectly used an ellipsis, and using multiple question or exclamation marks makes you come-across as uneducated.

German has historically been the second language of science, but in 2011, anyone who speaks German will most likely speak English. Besides, while there are German language journals, important papers are published in English, not German.

Japanese and Chinese might be more practical, but if you are graduating in 2013, it will be impossible for you to become fluent in either of the two in such a short period of time.

If you have to take a foreign language, take Latin: not only is it easy to learn (and forget), but it will improve your writing skills.

It only makes me come across as uneducated to people who have sticks up their asses. I'm clearly just talking in a casual way, not writing a paper to be turned into to my professor.

Thanks.

 

[Brachyury]

It only makes me come across as uneducated to people who have sticks up their asses. I'm clearly just talking in a casual way, not writing a paper to be turned into to my professor.

Thanks.

I apologize if my post offended you; it was not my intention.

Nevertheless, anyone interested in a career in research should consider taking Latin not because it makes anatomy easier, but because it makes you more sensitive to grammar and semantics. When you write scientific papers, you need to know how to write in a concise and clear fashion, and learning Latin is a great way to develop/strengthen these skills.

 

[samuraiR]

learn java or c++. Maybe c# (or vb) and sql too if you have time.

 

[Silverfalcon]

English?

That is actually #2.

#1 is Parseltongue and worshipping of Pastafarian.

 

[LoveTheRunner]

screw english. talk american