If you understand a language then you will understand to a large extent the culture that goes with it, and if you understand the culture you will pick up on subtleties that you might otherwise miss. In any negotiation or business relationship the more you understand about the needs and wants of the other party the more likely you are to be able to reach an advantageous outcome (for both sides). This is well recognized, but less widely taken into account is the favourable impression that speaking another language gives about you, and this is what I want to consider.

published Jan 25, 2018 7:46:38 AM, by Katia Dmitrieva (Bloomberg) — U.S. filings for unemployment benefits increased a week after plunging to the lowest level since 1973, underscoring a still historically tight jobs market, Labor Department figures showed Thursday. Highlights of Jobless Claims (Week Ended Jan. 20) Jobless  claims increased by