How useful would knowing German or Japanese be for an EE?

  • Thread starter jordainloves
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Ee German
In summary, the conversation discussed how German is not very practical for an engineer to know, but it is a good language to know if you want to stay in California. Japanese is more practical because it is popular in the hi-tech industry. However, if you want to learn Japanese, you need a reason to justify the time investment.
  • #1
jordainloves
9
0
Note: I learned German while I lived in Switzerland for 2 years. I'm studying to be an EE right now.

From your professional experience in the industry, would German be a very useful language to know? Is there much of a demand for bilingual engineers? From my experience in Switzerland, almost everyone involved in international business had great English. Do any of you actually do business with foreign companies? What is it like?

I want to stay in California after I graduate, but I wouldn't mind living in Germany either if I was well enough compensated for it. All I ever hear about German engineering is their cars.

How about Japanese? I would love to learn it, but there a tons of things that I would love to do. I want to know how practical it would be and how much I would be able to use it if I invest the time to study.

Are there other languages that would be more practical than either of these two? (I'm thinking Mandarin.)
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
  • #2
IF you want to stay in California, the best language you could learn is Spanish. As for other languages, it really depends on the company you work for and the work you are doing, but chances are knowing a language like Japanese isn't going to do a lot for you unless you work in Japan.
 
  • #3
Topher925 said:
IF you want to stay in California, the best language you could learn is Spanish. As for other languages, it really depends on the company you work for and the work you are doing, but chances are knowing a language like Japanese isn't going to do a lot for you unless you work in Japan.

In my current position (senior EE in R&D Lab), I end up working with Japanese customers a fair amount. I know a little Japanese (I was an Army brat, and lived in Japan for a couple of years in the late 60's), and that helps me in my interactions with those customers.

But unless you know that you're going to be working with Japanese folks in the future, it's hard to justify learning the language now, IMO. If you end up in a position where learning it would help you, they you could learn enough to be useful in just a few months of study on your own.
 
  • #4
I'm surrounded by hispanic people every day in Southern California, but more specifically when would Spanish be useful in Engineering?
 
  • #5
Topher925 said:
IF you want to stay in California, the best language you could learn is Spanish. As for other languages, it really depends on the company you work for and the work you are doing, but chances are knowing a language like Japanese isn't going to do a lot for you unless you work in Japan.

I feel that way about German too. I don't think it will be very practical unless I want to actually live there.
 
  • #6
Hi,
from my personal experience it is better to have Chinese instead- it is very
popular - especially if you in hi-tech biz. to travel to production sites in Asia and it is mostly in mainland China or Taiwan. I think this will help you in many areas of businesses.
 
  • #7
I'm currently learning Chinese, and holy cow is it a tough language. Unlike English, the written language has really no phonics or roots. Absolutely everything about the language is pure memorization.
 
  • #8
I wanted to find out if any EEs that know a specific language are in particular demand. It doesn't sound like it, so I'm moving on. If the company I work for ever wants to pay me to learn Chinese or Japanese I'd be all for it because I enjoy learning new languages, but only if I get to USE it.

I'll keep up my German since I already know it well and maybe it will come in handy in my career someday.

Thanks for the info.
 
  • #9
So if I understood you correctly, you feel the desire to learn an exotic language, preferably Japanese, because it looks like fun to you, but you need some excuse to justify the time investment?
Ask yourself, how much time do you waste each day with TV, Internet, etc.? Now that is all time that you could use learning a language that interests you even if it might be a waste of time, since you would have wasted that time anyway.
Plus remember that learning something, no matter what it is, is always better then watching TV for obvious reasons.
 
  • #10
Good point DrZoidberg. I have a list of interesting things that I want to do besides wasting time on the internet. I'm not going to take up Japanese right now, but I am learning to play the piano.

Why is it so easy to waste time?
 

1. How useful would knowing German be for an EE?

Knowing German can be very useful for an EE, as Germany is a global leader in technology and engineering. Many German companies have a strong presence in the field of electrical engineering, and being able to communicate in German can open up job opportunities and collaborations with these companies. Additionally, German is the second most commonly used scientific language, so being able to read and understand technical documents written in German can be beneficial for research and development.

2. How useful would knowing Japanese be for an EE?

Knowing Japanese can also be very useful for an EE, as Japan is known for its advanced technology and innovation in various industries. Many Japanese companies, such as Sony, Mitsubishi, and Panasonic, have a strong presence in the field of electrical engineering, and being able to communicate in Japanese can greatly benefit job opportunities and collaborations with these companies. Additionally, Japan is a leader in robotics and electronics, so being able to understand Japanese technical terms and concepts can be helpful in this field.

3. Are there any specific areas of electrical engineering where knowing German or Japanese would be particularly useful?

Yes, knowing German can be particularly useful in the areas of automation, energy, and renewable energy, as Germany is a leader in these fields. Knowing Japanese can be beneficial for those interested in robotics, electronics, and telecommunications, as Japan is known for its advancements in these areas.

4. Is it necessary to be fluent in German or Japanese to work in the electrical engineering field?

No, it is not necessary to be fluent in German or Japanese to work in the electrical engineering field. Many companies have a diverse workforce and use English as their primary language for communication. However, having knowledge of German or Japanese can give you an edge over other candidates and allow for better communication and collaboration with companies and colleagues from these countries.

5. How can I learn German or Japanese to benefit my career in electrical engineering?

There are various ways to learn German or Japanese, such as taking classes at a language school, using language learning apps or programs, or immersing yourself in the language through cultural exchange programs or studying abroad. Additionally, many universities offer language courses as part of their electrical engineering programs. It is also helpful to practice speaking and reading in the language, and to seek out opportunities to use it in a professional setting, such as through internships or networking events.

Similar threads

German contributions to aviation
    • Aerospace Engineering
Replies
11
Views
2K
Learn French or German language for physicist?
    • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
11
Views
4K
EE - Project Eradicating Bacteria/Biofilm
    • Electrical Engineering
Replies
18
Views
2K
Other Career Advice for Living and Working in Switzerland
    • STEM Career Guidance
Replies
1
Views
1K
Programs At a crossroads between MS in CS or EE
    • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
6
Views
807
FH Aachen: Engineering, Cost of Living & German Language
    • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
8
Views
5K
Engineering Studying Engineering and Management at a German Hochschule
    • STEM Career Guidance
Replies
1
Views
930
Most commonly mispronounced scientists' names
    • General Discussion
2
Replies
51
Views
4K
EE courses for designing audio amplifiers and speakers?
    • Electrical Engineering
Replies
4
Views
2K
Photodetector Bonanza: Buy & Learn for 4-Week EE Project
    • Electrical Engineering
Replies
7
Views
1K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top