Should I learn Japanese, Korean, or Mandarin?

[OrangeCaramel]

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I'm really interested in learning one of the East Asian languages, except I don't know which one is most useful for a doctor! I want to be a physician (maybe ob/gyn but who knows yet) maybe do some missions with MSF (doctors without borders). I can do some rusty French. I know Japanese is really useful if you do research but I'm not that interested in becoming a physician-scientist. I know the Korean alphabet and some basic phrases but nothing for a conversation. And Mandarin sounds fun because it's so challenging but undergrad classes usually meet 5 times a week which is a lot (I would enjoy it though, just don't know how much it would take away from my other classes).
So which one should I start learning to help my career? Thank you in advance

 

[Nymphicus]

Chinese has the most utility, but really, do whatever you are interested in most.

 

[OrangeCaramel]

thanks for the reply! How is Chinese useful for a doctor? Can you give an example?

 

[leaveit2rani]

i say mandarin chinese. it depends on the area you live in though...it would be useful in places like california, new york etc.

I see foreign languages rank of importance in the US like this:

1. Spanish
2. Arabic
3. Chinese

 

[moneytree]

China has the largest population for any country (some 1.3 billion), so if you're interested in global health, I would put my money on Mandarin Chinese.

 

[pfaction]

If you're going to learn any language, why would it NOT be Spanish?

Seriously?

 

[Praefectus]

Mandarin. The Chinese are putting up 8% gains in GDP and it's only a matter of time (i.e. within our lifetimes) before they surpass our debt-riddled economy. However, they'll also have some problems of their own due to the dwindling fertility rate (1.5-1.8 depending on your source) and their own "baby boomers" that will drain the system as they get older.

In short, Mandarin would be the most useful because I don't foresee Korean or Japanese becoming a common global language.

 

[Ellie Arroway]

Vietnamese.

 

[kami333]

Mandarin.

Japanese is one of the least useful languages to know as far as translating goes since most Japanese people know some English.

 

[darkjedi]

Mandarin Chinese is one of the toughest 'popular' languages to learn. It is not a phonetic language, but rather symbolic, meaning you have to learn thousands of chinese characters before you can even read a basic newspaper. Additionally it's a tonal language and the tone you put to a phoneme can mean the difference between calling someone a mom or a horse. Those not raised on languages that contain tones, including English, have an extremely difficult time imparting the right tones on words.

However while almost 1 in 6 people in the world speak Mandarin Chinese, which depending on the metric far exceeds every other language including English, the difficulty of learning Chinese is why a lot of experts believe that English will likely remain the de facto international language of trade.

Answer to your question should be Spanish, it's one of the most widely spoken languages outside of Chinese and English, easier to learn, and something you can actually use in real life in the US and abroad in a vast number countries.

 

[Doctor Strange]

你应该学中文！But, seriously, I see Americans struggle with Chinese all the time. It's a tonal language, and a lot of people have a tough time with pronunciation if they haven't grown up with a language that's similar. I would say Spanish would be the most useful.

 

[pfaction]

I took Japanese for fun for like a year and a half. It was pretty hard.

So once again, Spanish. Most useful.

 

[CsHead]

Japanese is one of the least useful languages to know as far as translating goes since most Japanese people know some English.

I'm sorry, but no. Don't believe the hype nor the fact they learn it in school. It's the equivalent of Spanish in America.



Edit: Back to the OP, choose the language you are most interested in because you'll want to remember that when you are questioning what you are doing.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

I'm sorry, but no. Don't believe the hype nor the fact they learn it in school. It's the equivalent of Spanish in America.



Edit: Back to the OP, choose the language you are most interested in because you'll want to remember that when you are questioning what you are doing.

Japanese is least useful because you'll have an unlikely time using it outside of Japan and if you do go to Japan you'll be unlikely to remain there as becoming a perm resident/citizen for a number of reasons ( Xenophobia and anti-immigration are basically state policies). Regarding English in Japan, under 20% actually know how to speak it.

 

[TxResident]

I'm really interested in learning one of the East Asian languages, except I don't know which one is most useful for a doctor! I want to be a physician (maybe ob/gyn but who knows yet) maybe do some missions with MSF (doctors without borders). I can do some rusty French. I know Japanese is really useful if you do research but I'm not that interested in becoming a physician-scientist. I know the Korean alphabet and some basic phrases but nothing for a conversation. And Mandarin sounds fun because it's so challenging but undergrad classes usually meet 5 times a week which is a lot (I would enjoy it though, just don't know how much it would take away from my other classes).
So which one should I start learning to help my career? Thank you in advance

Hey guys, this person is interested in East Asian languages! I'm sure he knows by now that Spanish is one of the more preferred languages in the US because of the large portion of the population that speaks Spanish.

Personally, I'm Vietnamese and wished I knew Vietnamese since I live in Dallas, which has quite a few Vietnamese people. But if I could go into any East Asian language (not considering my race) with interests into medicine, I'd probably go for Mandarin. I'm not sure how it is with other Asian races (to be fair, I'm half Chinese though so maybe it half applies) but we avoid trips to the doctors as much as possible, so perhaps learning Mandarin would be a good choice to help open up a dialogue with your future patients. Good luck with whatever choice you pick! Asian languages are 😕ing for many!

Edit: oh in regards to doctors without borders, I'm sure there will be translators (I've never done it before though, so don't take my word for it, I'm just assuming), so the language you pick won't matter too much!

2nd Edit: oh and also if I recall correctly, some Vietnamese has influences from French so that might help out a bit if you decide to go Vietnamese (I know it wasn't one of your options >_<)

 

[TheMightySmiter]

I've met a lot more Korean-speakers in the States than I have Chinese-speakers, but it depends on where you are. Korean is the easiest for Westerners to learn.

 

[pfaction]

(to be fair, i'm half chinese though so maybe it half applies) but we avoid trips to the doctors as much as possible, so perhaps learning mandarin would be a good choice to help open up a dialogue

my son must become doctor and make good salary

no we dont go to doctors

 

[nychila]

Not sure if MSF has programs in China, but many areas in China are still living in absolute poverty (<$1/day), so Mandarin will definitely help you there, vs. third-world poverty does not exist in Japan or Korea (unless you dare go into the North). Although most of those impoverished rural Chinese villages speak regional dialects which Mandarin-speakers cannot even understand, learning the language would nevertheless be helpful should you decide to take your work to China.

Plus, the expanding Chinese market means that learning Chinese will become increasingly useful anywhere in the world.

If you're learning for pure interest only, then consider Japanese if you love anime, and Korean if you love Asian drama.

 

[pfaction]

Would they even trust non-nationals?

 

[sliceofbread136]

I've kinda had a dream for awhile to stay in Japan for an extended period of time. How hard is Japanese to learn? I found Spanish pretty simple to pick up but I'm pretty sure that's like the easiest language there is.

 

[CsHead]

Japanese is least useful because you'll have an unlikely time using it outside of Japan and if you do go to Japan you'll be unlikely to remain there as becoming a perm resident/citizen for a number of reasons ( Xenophobia and anti-immigration are basically state policies). Regarding English in Japan, under 20% actually know how to speak it.

It's easier to get sponsored than you think. Although sacrificing yourself as a teacher is by far the easiest way. Beyond that your talking 5 years min for residency, 10 years min for citizenship... and yes racism is real there.

I've kinda had a dream for awhile to stay in Japan for an extended period of time. How hard is Japanese to learn? I found Spanish pretty simple to pick up but I'm pretty sure that's like the easiest language there is.

1.5 years if you devote your life to it. Less if you move in country and devote your life to it (Teach and Tutor on the side for $$$).

 

[RomanTaylor]

Spanish. It is a generation away from being a required language for Americans.

 

[OrangeCaramel]

Hey guys, this person is interested in East Asian languages! I'm sure he knows by now that Spanish is one of the more preferred languages in the US because of the large portion of the population that speaks Spanish.

Personally, I'm Vietnamese and wished I knew Vietnamese since I live in Dallas, which has quite a few Vietnamese people. But if I could go into any East Asian language (not considering my race) with interests into medicine, I'd probably go for Mandarin. I'm not sure how it is with other Asian races (to be fair, I'm half Chinese though so maybe it half applies) but we avoid trips to the doctors as much as possible, so perhaps learning Mandarin would be a good choice to help open up a dialogue with your future patients. Good luck with whatever choice you pick! Asian languages are 😕ing for many!

Edit: oh in regards to doctors without borders, I'm sure there will be translators (I've never done it before though, so don't take my word for it, I'm just assuming), so the language you pick won't matter too much!

2nd Edit: oh and also if I recall correctly, some Vietnamese has influences from French so that might help out a bit if you decide to go Vietnamese (I know it wasn't one of your options

lol thank you for acknowledging the east asian part. I know Spanish is really useful but I pretty much have to stay in the northeast for family reasons.

MSF as well as big hospitals has a lot of translators. MSF actually just finished an HIV/AIDs clinic in China back in 2010. I'm guessing by the time i actually become a doctor another mission will be set up there.
So it sounds like Chinese is really important in the business world. Would MD/MBA programs look favorably upon Chinese speakers/learners/etc.?
Actually, one of my friends' dad just set up a clinic in Vietnam. This kinda inspired me to set up clinic in rural China (although he's like 50. I'll probably end up setting up clinic when I'm 50 too haha)
EDIT: wow I guess I just answered my own question. Thanks for all the replies; they stirred up all these ideas in my head. And @nychila for pointing out Korea and Japan don't have that much poverty compared to China 😛

 

[kami333]

I'm sorry, but no. Don't believe the hype nor the fact they learn it in school. It's the equivalent of Spanish in America.

Not believing the hype, going by experience. I lived there on and off until high school and was very active in the expat and returnee communities since my mother used to be a consultant for those considering moving (I sometimes got dragged along but was worth it since I charged extra🙂). Functional fluency and literacy might be the same as Spanish in American, but only if everyone took Spanish in high school. I'd say overall your chances are pretty good that any Japanese expat you meet will speak English, at least better than the Japanese most people can learn in 4 years.

Japanese is least useful because you'll have an unlikely time using it outside of Japan and if you do go to Japan you'll be unlikely to remain there as becoming a perm resident/citizen for a number of reasons ( Xenophobia and anti-immigration are basically state policies). Regarding English in Japan, under 20% actually know how to speak it.

Also there aren't a huge number of Japanese people coming over on refugee or family visas compared to other Asian countries (though that could easily change with Fukushima) so most Japanese expats you'll meet are here for education or work so they'll be more likely to be better educated and know English. I was on the translator call list for the hospital (to help with general translations, the medical stuff was done over the phone) I worked at for 4years without a call whereas my Chinese counterparts got several.

If you're learning for pure interest only, then consider Japanese if you love anime, and Korean if you love Asian drama.

Please no! I used to get really annoyed in college because people always wanted to talk about anime with me based solely on the fact that I spoke Japanese (in addition to the mistake I made going to an anime club meeting my freshmen year, but in my defense they had pizza and I was hungry). (Just kidding btw, I think it's a good think to want to learn outside of your culture and something that needs to be celebrated more in this country)

 

[CsHead]

Not believing the hype, going by experience. I lived there on and off until high school and was very active in the expat and returnee communities since my mother used to be a consultant for those considering moving (I sometimes got dragged along but was worth it since I charged extra🙂). Functional fluency and literacy might be the same as Spanish in American, but only if everyone took Spanish in high school. I'd say overall your chances are pretty good that any Japanese expat you meet will speak English, at least better than the Japanese most people can learn in 4 years.

My mistake... for some reason I thought you were talking about in country...

 

[kami333]

My mistake... for some reason I thought you were talking about in country...

I wouldn't touch practicing in Japan with a ten-foot pole. Too much weird stuff going on.

I've heard that you can take the licensing exams in English, but I've never been able to track down official documentation. There was also talk many years ago about allowing foreign MDs to practice on a limited basis (not accepting national health insurance) so basically limited to expats but I'm not sure what happened to that discussion.

 

[Xenops]

I wouldn't touch practicing in Japan with a ten-foot pole. Too much weird stuff going on.

I've heard that you can take the licensing exams in English, but I've never been able to track down official documentation. There was also talk many years ago about allowing foreign MDs to practice on a limited basis (not accepting national health insurance) so basically limited to expats but I'm not sure what happened to that discussion.

Could you please elaborate? My understanding is that if you become fluent in Japanese, you can practice medicine there.

And here's a link to a foreigner that practices in Japan (and with insurance).

http://www.internationalclinic.org/

 

[Ansar]

Korean, or Chinese.

Korean has an alphabet, which makes it a lot less daunting to take on.

 

[CsHead]

I wouldn't touch practicing in Japan with a ten-foot pole. Too much weird stuff going on.

Meh.. I'm still open to it... but there's a lot of policy that I'm not keen to... In addition to making me thankful for EMTALA here.

I've heard that you can take the licensing exams in English, but I've never been able to track down official documentation. There was also talk many years ago about allowing foreign MDs to practice on a limited basis (not accepting national health insurance) so basically limited to expats but I'm not sure what happened to that discussion.

I too keep hearing this... but is it worth it knowing a majority of locals (old) will most likely avoid for practice???

 

[Procyon]

Chinese has the most utility, but really, do whatever you are interested in most.

I concur. I took a year of Japanese though, and I don't regret it for a second. Take the language for the culture you find the most fascinating/the place you'd like to visit most one day. 🙂

 

[ShenanigansMD]

Someone else already is multilingual in one of those languages.

Learn the one that you think is the coolest.

 

[OrangeCaramel]

Could you please elaborate? My understanding is that if you become fluent in Japanese, you can practice medicine there.

And here's a link to a foreigner that practices in Japan (and with insurance).

http://www.internationalclinic.org/

interesting link! He's lucky though; the doc has been speaking Japanese since he was a kid D:

I wouldn't touch practicing in Japan with a ten-foot pole. Too much weird stuff going on.

I've heard that you can take the licensing exams in English, but I've never been able to track down official documentation. There was also talk many years ago about allowing foreign MDs to practice on a limited basis (not accepting national health insurance) so basically limited to expats but I'm not sure what happened to that discussion.

Could you explain why practicing medicine in Japan would be bad? I don't really understand health policy very well. I would really appreciate it. By the way, doesn't kami mean god (or something of the like) in Japanese? 🙂

 

[Neurophage]

These languages you mentioned represent three drastically different cultures. I'd suggest learning as much as you can about the three and choosing one based on which culture you feel the most affinity for. If you're like me, that will affect your enthusiasm for using the language, and thus your retention.

If you want something useful for Doctors Without Borders or other aid work, I would stay away from Japanese and Korean. Those countries are generally better off than we are healthcare-wise. (Though if North Korea ever opens their borders, this could lead to some interesting opportunities.) I'm not too familiar with the opportunities that are available in China. Southeast Asian languages would be worth looking into if this is your primary interest.

Mechanically, here's my experience with these three languages:

Korean, as you've seen, has a very easy alphabet - and the language is generally spoken exactly as it's written. That said, their vowels require much greater spoken and auditory precision than English vowels. I cannot tell you how many times I've had to speak a Korean word 5+ times to be understood, been corrected, and not been able to perceive a difference between what I said and the correct version. It's more difficult for me to retain my Korean than my Japanese for this reason. If I don't practice often, I seem to rapidly lose my ability to understand and be understood.

Japanese is easier to retain. It never seemed very difficult to make or understand the necessary sounds, as long as people don't speak too fast. It's been years since I studied, and I can still communicate without too much trouble. The alphabets, however, are beastly difficult to master. If you have the patience or don't mind being illiterate, go for it.

I know very little Mandarin, but it seems like the most difficult of the three due to the tonality and difficult alphabet.

 

[Mosa]

If you're going to learn any language, why would it NOT be Spanish?

Seriously?

Lol this reply was great! I really do agree on this one. I stressed my Spanish and Arabic fluency on every last secondary I got and I'm pretty sure they're one of few reasons I have any interviews at this point lol. I volunteer at a hospital in my hometown and have to translate for Spanish speaking patients at least once a week.

 

[link2swim06]

Spanish times a million.

I have encountered have already encountered a few spanish speaking pts and am only ~1 month into 3rd year.

Could have been super useful.

 

[pfaction]

I know Spanish is really useful but I pretty much have to stay in the northeast for family reasons.

????? North East has a lot of Spanish Speaking people.

 

[iforget2]

Chinese is probably the hardest of the 3. But learning that would make learning Japanese and Korean easier if you were ever interested in wanting to learn them

 

[tiger86]

learn chinese and you'll understand some japanese.

 

[OrangeCaramel]

The problem is that most colleges (undergrad) don't have very advanced Korean courses, but most have Chinese and Japanese. My degree won't be in a language unless i double major with biology (I could still do a minor). And of course I can't pick an undergrad based on if it has Korean lol.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

The problem is that most colleges (undergrad) don't have very advanced Korean courses, but most have Chinese and Japanese. My degree won't be in a language unless i double major with biology (I could still do a minor). And of course I can't pick an undergrad based on if it has Korean lol.

Are you not even in college yet?? Chill out!

 

[Neurophage]

The problem is that most colleges (undergrad) don't have very advanced Korean courses, but most have Chinese and Japanese. My degree won't be in a language unless i double major with biology (I could still do a minor). And of course I can't pick an undergrad based on if it has Korean lol.

You can learn stuff outside a classroom - a critical skill for a future physician.

 

[neurotroph]

In terms of utility for US practice and MSF, definitely Mandarin. There's nothing wrong with learning a language just for fun though. I've studied some Japanese even though I know it's going to be mostly useless (though I'm thinking of doing a summer research program there since I'm pre-MD/PhD). Gaining fluency in Spanish is my main priority, however, and that's been a fun language for me too. More fun, actually.

 

[Genecks]

If I knew Chinese, I would be playing the Chinese stock market and seeking investment opportunities all around China.

 

[smarts1]

Of the three, Korean is the easiest. Since you already said that you know the alphabet, it's going to be the easiest for you to pick up. Mandarin Chinese is way too difficult (if you want to learn to read) and all the tones will throw you off. Japanese has three different alphabets and like someone else said, if you are okay with being illiterate, go ahead.

Even though someone else said that if you learn Chinese you will learn part of Japanese, that is not necessarily true. The words in Japanese Kanji don't necessarily correlate to the same words in Chinese.

 

[La Presse]

Meh. find a language that is more versatile--maybe not Spanish--but something similar. I just got Win 8 and am about to purchase the Rosetta Stone for the French Language.

 

[pfaction]

Are you not even in college yet?? Chill out!

SDN takes its grip on yet another pre-med.

 

[neurotroph]

Meh. find a language that is more versatile--maybe not Spanish--but something similar. I just got Win 8 and am about to purchase the Rosetta Stone for the French Language.

Rosetta Stone suckssss (in my opinion). I'm glad I got a copy for free because I was done with it after about a week.

 

[Neurophage]

Rosetta Stone suckssss (in my opinion). I'm glad I got a copy for free because I was done with it after about a week.

I think Rosetta Stone is effective, but only if one already knows the language's alphabet.

 

[Poetic Silence]

Trilingual here. American English, Chicano Spanish and American Sign Language (Signed Pidgin English dialect).

If I were to pick a fourth, it would be either French, Russian or Arabic.

Far Eastern languages don't have much usage in the Pacific Northwest. At least not in my area.

Isn't Mandarin Chinese supposed to be the most difficult language to learn? Good luck with that.

 

[neurotroph]

I think Rosetta Stone is effective, but only if one already knows the language's alphabet.

Yeah, it's kind of a waste if the language doesn't use a Romanized alphabet and you're not already familiar with it. But in general I just found it boring and repetitive. I definitely prefer the classroom setting, though of course that's not always a feasible option.