Learning a language is one of the best ways to enrich your life. With the diversity of cultures around the world comes a variety of languages. However, not all languages are created equal and some can be challenging to learn and master. In this guide, we’ll cover the five hardest languages in the world to learn and master.
Why Are Some Languages Harder To Learn Than Others?
Different languages have different complexity levels. Some languages are easier for certain people to learn than others. For example, Spanish is a relatively easy language for English speakers to learn, due to a handful of shared English words.
The complexities of a language depend on the origin, whether it has standard spelling, grammar, and syntax rules, and whether it has any shared roots with languages you may already be familiar with.
The 5 Hardest Languages To Learn:
- Somali
- Chinese
- Finnish
- Polish
- Arabic
1. Somali
Somali is an Afro-Asiatic language spoken by over 30 million people from East Africa, the Middle East and other parts of the world.
Somali has a unique set of sounds and uses a unique verb structure. It uses different words for verb conjugations than English does and has lengthy phonetics making it difficult for native English speakers to master.
2. Chinese
Chinese is the most spoken language in the world. It is composed of many dialects, specifically Mandarin, Wu, Min, Cantonese, Yue and Hakka.
The written form of Chinese is a challenging feat, to say the least. It is written in over 140,000 characters and is composed of a complex written system with a character for virtually every word.
3. Finnish
Finnish is the official language of Finland and is also widely spoken in Estonia and Sweden. It is an Uralic language with no direct relation to other Indo-European languages.
Finnish has some extremely complicated conjugation rules and has many phonetics that English speakers will struggle with.
4. Polish
Polish is a Slavic language spoken by over 40 million people, primarily in Poland and other neighboring countries. It is a complicated language with many varying and difficult grammar rules.
The written form of Polish makes it even more complex for a foreign speaker to learn. It is composed of some very lenghty ways to conjugate words depending on various tenses and conjugations.
5. Arabic
Arabic is an extremely tough language to learn, even for native English speakers. It is the official language of 26 countries and is spoken by 400 million people worldwide.
Arabic has numerous elements that can make it difficult to learn. Arabic features a very foreign alphabet, four forms of verb conjugation, and twelve verb tenses – making learning the language a challenge.
Tips to Help You Conquer the Hardest Languages in the World
Learning a language is a challenge, but by following some of these tips, you can make it less daunting:
1. Listen and Imitate
Speak what you hear. Listen to native language speakers and imitate their pronunciation. You can also record yourself speaking in the language and play it back to yourself to assess your pronunciation.
2. Practice with native speakers
One of the best ways to learn a foreign language is to practice with native speakers as much as possible. They can help you understand the nuances of the language and pronunciation. Plus, it’s much easier to learn directly from someone than trying to teach yourself.
3. Learn the basics first
Rather than trying to tackle grammar and vocabulary all at once, focus on learning the basics first. Start with the most commonly used phrases and build up from there.
4. Break the language into small pieces
Rather than trying to tackle a complex language all at once, break it down into smaller pieces. Take it slow and focus on one element of the language at a time, such as grammar, vocabulary, or pronunciation.
5. Read and write in the language
The more exposure you have to the language the better. Find articles in the language you are trying to learn and read them out loud. You can also write in the language you are learning to help strengthen your writing skills.
While there are certain challenges that come with learning a foreign language, it’s also a rewarding experience. These five languages are some of the toughest to learn, but that doesn’t mean you can’t master them. With a bit of hard work and the right techniques, you can master the hardest languages in the world.
