About the field of German Language Studies: Studying another culture can be a complicated undertaking, but many people start with the language and literature of that culture. If you can speak a language, you can communicate with others who speak that language and thus learn far more than a book or a lecture can ever tell you. Similarly, learning the literature of another culture enables you to hear the stories of that people in their own words. Language studies can cover anything from basic vocabulary to advanced linguistics , while literature can touch on the range of issues facing a particular society. Many people pursuing German studies will choose to travel to Germany in order to immerse themselves in the language and culture. German tends to be an excellent language for anyone interested in Eastern Europe. German can also boast the most native speakers in Europe (more than French, Italian, Spanish, or English). For those interested in studying other languages and cultures, there are a variety of other related fields including: African Studies , Asian Studies , French Studies , Italian Studies , Middle Eastern Studies , Portuguese Studies , Russian and Slavic Studies , and Spanish Studies . German studies may also encompass a range of other issues related to German culture including: history , politics , philosophy , art , and religion .