It'll either be German, French, or Spanish, as I have a passing familiarity with all of them. But they all represent different areas of opportunity; french will let me be understood in large parts of Africa, and let me read many great works of Humanism and Realism, German opens up a host of philosophical texts, will let me read Kafka as it was intended, and I could live comfortably in Berlin, which is the greatest city I've ever been in, while Spanish of course would let me travel and communicate in Latin America, even travel through the Amazon for a year as I may do, and I could read the many great works of Latin American authors (Spansih authors as well, obviously, though I'm less familliar with the Spanish litterary tradition).

So, any suggestions? Pros or cons?



You can get by speaking English in Africa or Berlin, but probably less so than in Latin America. Also, as Larry said, it's a good gateway languange. It's also the most useful in the U.S. As far as literature goes, I don't know enough to have an informed opinion. Finally, please spell literature and literary correctly--it's ironic in a sad way if you don't.