Are you interested in uncommon languages?

[kate23]

I seem to have a particular interest in the more uncommon languages like Hawaiian, Latin, Scottish Gaelic, Irish, Welsh, Cornish (I like Celtic languages as you can see!) etc. Anyone else the same way?

I know that a lot of people say it's pointless to learn uncommon languages but really it can also be pointless to learn very common languages - it completely depends on your motivations and plans. I don't believe it's ever pointless to learn, though.

For me, learning languages stems from a love of the languages (way it sounds/looks) and/or the cultures. If I never meet another person that speaks Latin that will be okay because I can get enjoyment out of it in other ways (although, I have heard of a Latin chatroom where they all speak in Latin, so there are ways to talk with other speakers).

[Meera]

Yes I am very interested in uncommon languages. I'd love to learn Armenian, which I think it uncommon. I'd also love to learn Assamese and Sindhi, which I think are also uncommon.

[Esperahol]

There is something strange about the idea that learning for it's own worth is somehow odd. I personally enjoy the idea of learning a language just because it interests me - and Gaelic is one of my top picks for interesting languages. Maybe we can practice it some time or just stare in horror at Finnegan's Wake... it's about the same thing really.

[alisawnn]

I really want to learn Croatian. That sounds a bit weird I guess, but I've seen so many beautiful pictures of Croatia and I'd love to learn the language and visit someday!

[Dora M]

I already speak a couple of uncommon languages. I wouldn't describe Swiss-German or Serbo-Croatian exactly as mainstream. When I lived in Papua New Guinea, I attempted to learn Pidgin English. I acquired enough phrases to make myself understood, but unfortunately my time there came to an early end and I haven't been able to catch up with that amazing language since.

[linguaholic]

How does it come that you speak Swiss-German (my mother tongue), Dora M? 

[Daimashin]

Actually I'm not interested in uncommon languages because I'm not exposed to them often. It's cool to know a language that not many people know but many will also think that it's a waste of time. I think I'd rather pick a language that is more used if I have time to learn one.

[Litnax]

I would like to be able to read ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics - if that counts.

[sidney]

No, not really. I'm not interested in learning uncommon languages because I'm more drawn to the more popular ones like Spanish, because I will get to understand and speak with the Latin population if ever I get fluent in it, and that's quite a lot of people!

[JohnSword]

While I'm interested in uncommon languages, I probably go the extra mile to learn them. Every language requires plenty of motivation to ensure success but uncommon languages require a significantly higher level of dedication.

You tend to spend lots of time reading and listening but meeting people to practice with is often a rare luxury and this can have a severe impact on your motivation to continue. Also, unless there’s a demand for specialist translators or interpreters somewhere then there’s never going to be a financial incentive for learning the language.

[justusforus]

I learned Latin at an early age and I believe it helped with expanding my vocabulary and has helped with not only my native tongue, English, but with learning a second language.  Latin was also helpful in both my legal studies and when I took medical courses.  I would hope this "uncommon" language never falls into disuse.

[jfab]

Very much! New languages excite me. I love even the Africans languages. Like how they make sound with their mouth is pretty cool!

[Kandikkal]

I would like to learn Aramaic language. I think the chances are less that I could actually learn it. This was the language that Jesus used the most. You can read about it from here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aramaic_language

[Gelsemium]

Not really no. I was once interested in learning Latvian because I knew this fascinating Latvian girl, but those days are long gone now lol and unfortunately I never get to learn Latvian!  :grin:

[Sputnikops]

Well, this is an interesting question. I am interested in them? Yes. Am I willing to make an effort to learn them? ...not really

The only 'uncommon' language I have a basic grasp of is Tetum, the language of East Timor.

And while I would like to know more languages, I'm already studying a few right now, so I don't really have the resources to do so.

[Hanaseru]

Depends on how "uncommon" the languages are. 

The most uncommon language I personally want to learn is Finnish, but I also want to learn Swedish, which does not have a lot of speakers either.

[Meera]

I really want to learn Croatian. That sounds a bit weird I guess, but I've seen so many beautiful pictures of Croatia and I'd love to learn the language and visit someday!

Serbian/Croatian/Bosnian sound so amazing. I would love to learn them!

I don't if this counts as uncommon but I've been learning Bengali for two years and I have not met any other learner of Bengali and most people I know have never heard of it. But it's not really uncommon because it has over 200 million speakers. But it's funny because beside language enthusiasts no one knows what it is when I tell them about it. 

[Baburra]

I'm not really that much interested in learning uncommon languages, to be honest, since my own native language is already arguably a less common one. Still, I don't see studying more obscure languages as pointless, as it's all mostly about personal enrichment and satisfaction anyway with the other uses being a bit secondary, in my opinion.

[Hedonologist]

I've dabbled in Welsh which is only around 600,000 speakers. Virtually unheard of outside the UK. There is quite a lot of resources available for it though. There is a welsh language TV channel available on satellite networks so it's easy to get practice. The BBC produced quite a bit of material for it too.

[RobynB]

I would love to learn Gaelic and Latin, maybe some ancient Egyptian and some Funigalo ( a mixture of the South African languages, which was used in the mines.) I am not sure if that one counts but still one I wouldn't mind learning.

[diprod]

Oh yes! I would love to study the Egyptian's old language. It would be fun especially having to deal with drawings and all that art.

[Trellum]

I wanted to learn Latin and old Norse when I was younger, mostly because I had a strong fascination with dead tongues. I guess I had too much time in my hand.  I used to see earning languages as a hobby, now I do it because I really need it.  I would still like to learn other languages for fun, but only languages that are spoken still being spoken and not dead languages.

Learning a dead language sees so pointless to me, because I no longer have time for anything else   If I had more time I'd probably go back to learning Latin tho.  You never know.

[Rosa]

Maybe in the future I'd be interested in learning uncommon languages but not presently because there is no great reason to learn them. I would consider learning them a waste if I don't have anyone to use them with, although it would be quite interesting to know one and then finally after a long time have someone to communicate with .