quick translation

[MinorFatality]

My goal is to say "Today I will be talking about foreign languages." The scenario is that its an opening line for an otherwise English presentation to a class.

My limited knowledge of Chinese has brought be to: 今天我要说一说外国话.

Google translate provides: 今天我要谈论的外国语言.

I was wondering which was correct. What the difference between 外国话and 外国语言 is? And if 说一说 is a suitable substitute for 谈论.

[jbradfor]

And if 说一说 is a suitable substitute for 谈论.

My impression is that 谈论 translate more to "discussion" (i.e. two-way talking), while "说一说" is more appropriate for a presentation.

[ma3zi1]

I need some more context to make a completely accurate translation. You want to say: "Today I will be talking about foreign languages." That sentiment turns out to be a little vague in Chinese.

So what will you be saying about them? Will foreign languages be the subject of your lecture? In that case you could say:

我今天報告的題目就是「外國語言」。

Or if you are the teacher:

我們今天的題目就是「外國語言」。

Will you be talking about the grammar or structure of foreign languages? Or perhaps the impact they have on communication in general? If so, there are other things you could say to be more accurate.

[MinorFatality]

Its supposed to be a cute opening line for a small speech I have to give. The speech is a persuasive one on the benefits of teaching languages earlier in grade school.

[ma3zi1]

Ah okay, then I would say:

今天，我要給你們說兒童早期學習外語的利益。

“Today I'm going to tell you about the benefits of studying a foreign language in early childhood."

[aristotle1990]

Also consider 我今天想给你们介绍一下。。。, a very common way of beginning presentations in Chinese.

[MinorFatality]

Your suggestion works nicely, ma3zi1. Thank you all!

[skylee]

今天，我要給你們說兒童早期學習外語的利益。

I suggesting replacing 利益 with 好處; and 說 with 說(一)說 / 談(一)談 / 講(一)講.

And depending on who you speak to, it might be more appropriate to use 想 or 會 instead of 要; and 跟 instead of 給 to give it a less authoratative tone.

EDIT - amended a typo as pointed out in the next post.

[ma3zi1]

And depending on who you speak to, it might be more appropriate to use 想 or 會 instead of 說

說 ＝ 要

I agree with skylee, those are all very good points. What I wrote comes off as a bit commanding, but you did say the point was to be persuasive, correct?