French is spoken by more people than Italian. I personally don't think either language will increase in importance in the forseeable future.
Check this website for the 30 most widely spoken languages in the world.
http://www.krysstal.com/spoken.html
Is it worth to study Italian over French or vice versa?
Taking into consideration what the future holds, the linguistic demographics and applications, does anyone have an opinion based on broad experiences (seeing as mine is so narrow!)
I agree with Ms. Sue. A choice between Italian vs. French as languages to study comes down to your own heritage and travel and artistic preferences. I have recently begun to enjoy opera more and wish I understood more Italian. I sudied French for a year but usually don't have a clue what they are saying.
French is nice for getting around France, but I'd just as soon read the subtitles in their movies than try to understand the spoken language. I chose Spanish and German as my second and third languages and have regretted neither. Nowadays it mignt be wiser in terms of useful job skills to learn Chinese, Russian, Arabic or Farsi, as it becomes more important that we get along with countries that speak those languages. Spanish remains high on the list of useful languages.
When it comes to deciding whether to study Italian or French, there are a few factors to consider. Here's how you can approach this decision:
1. Linguistic demographics: If you're interested in the number of speakers, you can refer to the website mentioned earlier (http://www.krysstal.com/spoken.html) to see the current rankings of the most widely spoken languages. This will give you an idea of the global reach of each language.
2. Personal heritage: Consider your own background and heritage. If you have Italian roots or a strong connection to Italian culture, studying Italian might be more meaningful to you. On the other hand, if you have a French background or have always been drawn to French culture, studying French could be a better fit.
3. Travel and artistic preferences: Think about your travel aspirations and artistic interests. If you have dreams of exploring Italy, speaking Italian would enhance your experience. Likewise, if you're interested in French cinema, literature, or music, learning French would allow you to engage with those artistic aspects more deeply.
4. Job opportunities: While it's important to pursue a language you're passionate about, it's also practical to consider the potential job opportunities that might arise from your language skills. Languages like Chinese, Russian, Arabic, and Farsi are becoming increasingly important in global affairs, so studying those might offer more job prospects. Additionally, Spanish continues to be widely spoken and is often considered a useful language to know.
Ultimately, the choice between studying Italian or French depends on your personal motivations, interests, and goals. Consider the factors outlined above and reflect on what resonates with you the most.