Re: Languages for academic study of Pali

Dear all,

Seeing that there are many professors and other experts of Pali in this
group, I have a question that I know you will all have a relevant answer
to.  Therefore, I would appreciate as many answers as possible, whether
short or long (although the longer the better.)

If one is interested in the study of Pali and early Buddhism as it
develops into Theravada, setting aside textual languages (i.e., Pali,
Sanskrit, Classical Chinese, Classical Tibetan) what would be the most
important languages to be able to read regarding having the most access
to academic writings on these issues?

Currently I can read English and French and I find them both useful. 
However, I cannot read German, and was thinking that this might be my
next focus.  Yet, I have also heard that Japanese scholars are currently
writing extensively on the Pali canon and the Agamas (also of interest
to me), and I also assume that Sinhala would be useful for the study of
Pali and Theravada.

May I have your views, based on your experience, regarding this issue? 
Is it reasonable to think that Japanese might be the most useful
scholarly language for these areas after English?  Or would one of the
other languages I have mentioned be a better option (i.e. German,
Sinhala)?  I look forward to your responses with appreciation.


With metta,

Alan
E-Sangha Pali Discussion Forum for  the advanced or beginning student of
Pali:
http://www.lioncity.net/buddhism/index.php?showforum=50