| Just a quick note to @perkins... as far as international language is concerned - my experience is very opposite to yours. Having spent two decades living & working in various countries across Asia Pacific (south, south-east and north) and the US in senior executive positions in MNCs (predominately concerned with technology and telecommunications globally), I strongly recommend English and Mandarin as what you have decribed as your 'tier 1' languages in order to be a successful global player. I am fluent in both (oral and written - as well as average oral skills in Shanghai dialect, German, Malay and Tamil). Although Portuguese and Spanish would be a 'nice to have', it's easy enough to get by with in-company translators for the minimal ROI that Sth American countries offer (inc. Brazil). Asia (specifically China) is destined - as we are all aware - to become the world's financial superpower, hence the importance of Chinese Mandarin as we move forward. Also - in respect of Hindi - yes, it is 'officially' the national language of India, but unlike Chinese Mandarin, it is yet to be adpoted by the population as a 'common' language for all... to succeed in business across south and south-east Asia, one would be best to learn Tamil as opposed to Hindi (both would be almost ideal - as ideal as Indian languages are concerned - there would still be millions of people one would not be able to converse with). Finally, when you speak of 'Chinese', I assume you are referring to Mandarin (orally) and simplified Chinese characters?? If you just mention Chinese language in many parts of southern China & HK, the locals would be right to think you are talking of Cantonese (or even Hokkien in areas such as Fujian province). Take care.... :D |
Error in Western Media Report about Tibet