Have you ever imagined yourself as a linguistic whiz, capable of juggling many languages? We present you the Top 5 difficult languages to learn.
Top 5 difficult languages to learn
1- Mandarin Chinese
Mandarin Chinese is a language that is so large and sophisticated that many people feel as if they are solving a never-ending puzzle! Before we can discuss how verbally tough this behemoth is, we must first discuss how it was written. Mandarin’s writing system includes hundreds of unique characters to memorize; the flowing character style will either crush your brain or bring you to nirvana.
If writing in Mandarin wasn’t difficult enough, we can now explore the difficulties of speaking it. First and foremost, the grammar is a completely different beast than that of English and other Western languages. With no articles and a distinct sentence structure, making a sentence may be analogous to constructing Ikea furniture without any hardware.
To top it all off, Mandarin has four different tones that can entirely change the meaning of a word. You can find yourself stating someone is ugly when you really meant smelly. Neither is ideal, but one is clearly going to be more painful. This is one language where you should avoid language apps and instead study from a native tutor.
2- Arabic
Arabic is a Semitic language spoken by over 400 million people that originated in the Arabian Peninsula. It has a strong cultural and historical significance and is the official language of 26 nations. So, why is it so tough to learn this language spoken by nearly 400 million people? Variations are the basic answer. There are numerous Arabic dialects, each with its own pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar.
Furthermore, the writing technique presents difficulties such as flowing from right to left. While it is simple enough to learn, the language also includes letters that can appear differently depending on their place in a word, with vowels frequently going incognito. It will soon feel as if you are decoding secret signals. There’s also the proverbial cherry on top of grammar, as in most languages. Arabic is no exception; it is full of intricate and intriguing verb forms and noun declensions that contribute to the difficulty of the language.
3- Japanese
Japanese is unquestionably deserving of a spot on this list. Over 128 million people speak Japanese, and the majority of them live in—you guessed it—Japan. It’s difficult not to be intrigued by its distinct writing system. However, it is the language’s social and cultural aspects that make it so difficult. Let’s start with Japanese writing. It is a style of writing that combines Chinese letters (kanji) with two-syllable scripts (hiragana and katakana). When it comes to mastering this writing style, memorization and context will be your best allies.
The next challenge is one where only practice and repetition will suffice. Japanese sentence construction differs from what English speakers are accustomed to. Verbs are placed at the conclusion of sentences, and getting acclimated to this arrangement is difficult. Simply remember the subject, object, and verb, and you’ll be good. This is what actually propels the Japanese to the top of the list. Context is king, and Japanese culture places a high value on social context, therefore different levels of politeness and honorifics must be employed correctly. Choosing the wrong one can make or destroy a conversation, so keep alert.
4- Korean
At first glance, you might look at Korean and think it isn’t that different from Mandarin or Japanese, but you would be wrong. It’d be like someone from Texas meeting someone from deep in the Louisiana Bayou.
Three things make the Korean language a challenge:
- Grammar
- Homophones
- Phonetic writing
Korean grammar, in particular, can be perplexing to non-native speakers. Word order, sentence structure, and verb endings are all skills that lingual learners must master. There is also an honorific system, similar to Japanese, in which vocabulary and verb forms alter depending on the speaker’s and listener’s status. Add in double consonants, aspirated consonants, and vowel combinations that may leave English speakers speechless. The following challenge will appeal to everyone studying English. Homophones! Korean is densely packed with homophones, or words that sound similar but have diverse meanings. If you’re not paying attention, you could say leg instead of bridge, or fever instead of ten.
5- Finnish
Finnish is a veritable language rollercoaster. It is well-known for its perplexing syntax, intricate situations, and fascinating vowel harmony scheme. Oh, and don’t forget about its enormous, compounding vocabulary! With 15 cases to manage depending on sentence form and context, diving deep into Finnish grammar may feel like confronting a linguistic Rubik’s Cube. Then there’s the enticing dance of Finnish vowels, ensuring they blend perfectly within words, not to mention the constantly changing consonant gradation. My head hurts just writing that sentence.
But hold on, there’s more! Finnish vocabulary enjoys adopting terms from other languages and altering them to fit snugly into its own grammar and sound. It’s like having a concussion where everyone seems familiar but you’re not sure.
