Is English the Hardest Language to Learn? 11 Most Difficult Languages, According to Language Experts

Is English the Hardest Language to Learn? One of the most interesting things about languages is that there are so many different varieties of them. There are over 6,000 languages spoken in the world today. As you can imagine, each one has its own unique set of characteristics and quirks. In this article, we’ll look at 11 of the most difficult languages in existence, according to language experts. After reading this article ask yourself, is English hard to learn? Tell me your answer in a comment.
The alphabet is similar in most languages. The word “alphabet” comes from two Latin roots, alpha/alpha and bet/beta (i.e., alpha before beta).

Is English the Hardest Language to Learn?

Here is a list of the most difficult languages according to Linguists:

1. Chinese

It is a myth that Chinese can be taught to anyone. However, Mandarin Chinese has been simplified so much in the last few decades that it now only takes three years for someone who has no prior knowledge of the language to learn how to speak and understand basic terms.

In fact, as people have become keener on learning the language as a choice of study abroad destination for those from other countries, many universities around Australia are now offering Mandarin programs at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The number one problem with making this popular alternative an international gateway into China is its difficulty—Mandarin courses often take up a huge chunk of time, costing commencements upwards of $5000 AUD per semester alone!

2. Russian

Whether you love or loathe Russian poetry, you can’t deny the sophistication of its language. The creative flow and wide range of symbols in literature mean that there are almost endless possibilities when it comes to writing original content for your site (or even sending out legal documents!).

However, the language itself comes with a slew of challenges. While English is balanced between past and present time, Russian tends to divide its grammar into two parts: static grammars that cover more general topics—such as complete sentences and nouns—and action-filled ones which shape tense expressions depending on who is doing the speaking and when an action has occurred. What’s more, there are various dialectic differences as pronunciation changes depending on both region and time period.

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3. Japanese (Japan)

It may come as no surprise when we say that Japanese is one of our most popular overseas languages for digital marketers. Cognoscenti have long recognized the greatness of this language which has a particular savant-like way with words and phrases – translated versions might well lack half its flavor! Surprised by how complicated it can be? By all means, let’s run through some rules.

4. Korean

Hailing from the same place as Dothraki and Valyrian, Korean uses a combination of sentences in two parts: verbs state actions that keep things going, while adjectives add descriptive properties. This makes it easier to reword or add other meanings after each bit has been translated, but ultimately the language is more complicated to understand when you’re in Korea!

There are around five major dialects of Korean, which are mainly used in regions where conflict between north and south has created an inherent reason for differentiation.

5. Hungarian

This language combines three principal tones, each spoken with shifting emphasis—a clear sign for its native status. It’s certainly one of the most complex languages in this category since it has two genders which are also independent words, making noun/adjective combinations particularly hapless to translate!

6. Icelandic

The Icelandic language is one of the most unique on this list. A small part of it has gone extinct so today’s living speakers are either back descendants or grand-children/great-grandchildren who have learned their parent’s tongue upon birth like Yoda to Luke!

7. French

This is a notoriously complicated language, keeping over seven thousand separate nouns distinct and having around eight different cases on top of the compound tenses. However, French is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, and its use of suffixes means that there are many more ways to describe things than in English.

8. German

This language is spoken by 1.7% of the world’s population but offers over 800 different dialects! It has many cases, verb conjunctions (including strong ones), and quite a few words can be used for multiple meanings; you might get particularly confused if there are conflicting translations of the same concept. It is also quite complex to learn, being one of two EU languages that are not easy for English speakers!

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9. Finnish

Even the native speakers might have a hard time with this language because of its strong but inflected Finnish and Swedish influences. That’s not to say it can’t be heard around you; Finns, therefore, use English as their second (or first) language and staff members at embassies, for example, will be fluent in English.

10. Spanish

long words, obviously Spanish language is very difficult for English speakers, but Spanish speaking country is Neograndiniersk with a rich culture and history. The USA has a very few amounts of Spanish people.

11. Arabic

This language has a very distinct style and is often considered difficult to understand by native speakers. This is the language most widely spoken in Africa. It has strong words for nature and horticulture but also some English or French terms that are country-specific. Before you go, particularly in the main cities it’s useful to know some basic expressions. And if possible don’t try to speak Arabic with English or French terms because that will not be understood at all!

So, We can’t determine which language is the hardest language. Absolutely English is not one of them However, we can make a list of over 30 languages that are hard for the people who don’t speak English to communicate with. Of course, you can learn any language either using an app like Duolingo or by reading up on the subject in books and magazines.

In brief, it is very important to know the language in order to communicate with people. Many languages are highly different such as English, German, and so on. But what is important is to realize that one language is not more difficult than the other. So if you want to learn a new language try to have patience.

See also, listening is a skill, what is the hardest language to learn for non english speakers.

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FAQ about is English the hardest language to learn

1-Which language is most difficult to learn?

The most difficult language to learn is probably Chinese, with Japanese and Korean close behind.

Language difficulty can be measured by how many hours it takes to learn a language. The average amount of time it takes to learn one language is 12 years, while the longest-ever recorded time required for someone to master a language was 29 years.

 

2- What are the Benefits of Learning the 11 Most Difficult Languages, According to Language Experts?

Learning a difficult language can help you to improve your grammar, expand your vocabulary, and even boost your IQ.

The 10 Most Difficult Languages are:

  1. Mandarin Chinese
  2. German
  3. Japanese
  4. Russian
  5. French
  6. Arabic
  7. Italian
  8. Spanish
  9. Portuguese
  10. Hindi
  11. Korean

3- Is it true that these languages are difficult to learn?

Spanish, French, and German are difficult to learn for a number of reasons. One reason is that these languages have a lot of grammar. Another reason is that the vocabulary in these languages is extensive.

English, on the other hand, has a simpler grammar and vocabulary than Spanish or French but can be difficult because it has so many dialects and accents.

In conclusion, the question of whether English is the hardest language to learn lacks a definitive answer. Throughout this article, we’ve explored the complexities and challenges that English presents to learners, from its irregular spelling and pronunciation to its vast vocabulary and idiosyncratic grammar rules.

However, it’s essential to recognize that the difficulty of learning a language is subjective and varies from person to person. What may be challenging for one learner could be relatively straightforward for another, depending on their native language, previous language learning experiences, and individual aptitude for language acquisition.

References:

 

  1. Oxford Royale Academy. (2022, April 12). Why is English so hard to learn? Oxford Royale.