10 Impractical Languages With The Ultimate Bragging Rights & 10 Actually Worth Learning
10 Impractical Languages With The Ultimate Bragging Rights & 10 Actually Worth Learning
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Languages are often learned to strengthen communication. But sometimes, it’s just fun to know a language others don’t. If you want to be a real nerd about it, there are plenty of languages very few people speak today, making you one in a million if you learn them. For ultimate bragging rights, these are some of the silliest languages to learn, and some that may actually help you on your travels.
1. Elvish
Elvish is a fictional language that was created by J.R.R. Tolkien of Lord of the Rings and Hobbit fame. This language is spoken in the fictional realm of Middle-earth, but since it has been fully fleshed out, you can actually learn it and speak it yourself. In fact, some of the most dedicated fans are fluent in the language, and there’s plenty of cool Tolkien lore to unlock if you learn it.
2. Latin
Unlike Elvish, Latin is a real language that was spoken throughout the Roman Empire in its prime. While the language isn’t spoken anymore, it is still used in the West to study ancient texts and pursue scholarly research. For those that learn Latin, they’ll find that a lot of other languages are based on the lingo.
3. Dothraki
For fans of the Game of Thrones series, Dothraki is a fleshed-out language that is spoken through George R.R. Martin’s books and television series. The language was created with help from linguist David J.
Peterson, who helped develop it for television. You’ll find plenty of people using this language if you ever visit Comic-Con.
4. Klingon
Klingon is a primary language spoken by the alien Klingon race in the Star Trek universe. Since there are so many fans of Star Trek out there, you’ll probably find some uses for this fun language. Plus, it’s a great way to test the limits of your vocal cords, as most of the words sound quite alien-like.
5. Sumerian
Sumerian, on the other hand, is an actual ancient language that was spoken throughout Mesopotamia, one of the oldest regions in the world. Some consider this one of the oldest languages in existence, which means you’ll have major bragging rights if you are able to master it.
Unknown authorUnknown author on Wikimedia
6. Na’vi
The Na’vi language is another fictional language created for the acclaimed 2009 film Avatar. The director of the movie, James Cameron, hired a linguist to completely write the language, meaning there’s plenty for you to learn.
Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America on Wikimedia
7. Egyptian
While there have been various forms of the Egyptian language throughout time, the most ancient version was an Afro-Asiatic branch that is considered one of the oldest around. If you manage to learn this language, you’ll have plenty of special insights on modern languages derived from it.
8. Lapine
Lapine may seem like a silly language, as it was created for the bunnies in Watership Down. However, there’s nothing silly about that movie—proceed with caution, as it may leave you a little traumatized. Regardless, the language is based on English, making it quite easy to learn.
9. Aramaic
Aramaic is part of the Semitic language group, which means it is considered one of the core languages in all of human history. As one of the first languages, learning it ensures you’ll be able to understand modern languages based off of it, as well as gain a deeper understanding of ancient cultures and historical happenings.
10. Valyrian
This is another fictional language that was created for television by David J. Peterson. Unlike Dothraki, which was spoken by the horsemen, Valyrian is a high-born language often used by standout characters like Daenerys. Notably, Valyrian has been credited as one of the most convincing languages created since Tolkien’s Elvish.
Now that we have discussed some of the most impractical but coolest languages out there, here are 10 that might actually help you in your day-to-day life.
1. Chinese
Chinese is a term used to describe multiple languages ranging from Cantonese to Mandarin. However, considering the dispersal of populations, it is clear that Chinese is very popular and spoken by millions of people. Since China is a global leader in technology and manufacturing, learning this language will surely score you some brownie points.
2. Arabic
Arabic is interestingly also a Semitic language, meaning it’s one of the oldest around and still spoken throughout the Middle East. Since the Middle East is another global powerhouse, learning the language will garner you interesting opportunities as well as broaden your cultural awareness.
3. Spanish
Spanish is spoken throughout the world. It is the second-most-popular language in the United States, spoken throughout Mexico as well as parts of Europe. For many English speakers, learning Spanish is an accessible task, and you’ll be speaking it soon enough thanks to the similarities.
4. English
English undoubtedly unlocks numerous career opportunities and is spoken by billions of people worldwide. Most developed nations rely on English, and proper testing and scoring can help you access new opportunities abroad.
5. Hindi
Similar to China’s population, India is a massive country with millions upon millions of people. If you ever decide to visit the country, learning a few phrases will help you get around and will certainly make you more likable.
6. Portuguese
Portuguese is a rich and beautiful language that is both fun to learn as well as speak. You’ll be surprised by the similarities between this language and English, and it can help you broaden your business opportunities.
7. Russian
If you often find yourself in the former Soviet regions, then it’s worth noting that many of those countries speak Russian to this day. From Belarus to Kazakhstan, and even countries like Ukraine and Georgia, Russian is spoken in some capacity. If you’re much of a European traveler, this is a language worth learning.
8. Japanese
On the other hand, Japan is a popular tourist destination that attracts millions of hopefuls annually.
While you might be able to make it through Tokyo on English, exploring the countryside means you’ll need to learn Japanese to get by. Plus, you can watch anime with a newfound appreciation.
9. German
Germany is an advanced nation full of opportunities, from some of the best schools to leading industries in sustainable tech. There’s plenty to do, but to assimilate in German society, you’ll have to pick up a few lessons.
10. Korean
Korean culture is gaining popularity and traction in the West thanks to the standout success of Korean movies and music groups. With many people eager to explore the country, now is a great time to learn the language.
