What is theeasiest language to learnas a 2nd language ? The answer will diverge look on your native language . read a new language can open up chance , from connecting with people in your community or embracing your own culture to being able to hold out and figure out overseas .
Whether you are completing a schooling essential or are independently concerned in learning a young language , there are several factors to consider , such as historically related to language families , rudiment , spelling , vocabulary , grammar and orthoepy .
4 Important Factors if English Is Your Native Language
When it come to learning a second language , several factors can act upon how easy or difficult the process will be .
1. Language Families
For aboriginal English speakers , nomenclature that belong to the same spoken language family as English , such as Germanic languages , are often easy to learn . English itself is a West Germanic language , so its well-formed structures and vocabulary share common radical with other languages in this house .
This linguistic secretiveness mean that English speakers can find familiar lexicon and time social system when learning a novel Germanic linguistic process , which significantly simplifies the learning process .
2. Straightforward Grammar
speech with straightforward grammar rules and simple time structures can also be more accessible to apprentice . For example , many Germanic languages , like Dutch and Swedish , have relatively simple grammar rules compare to more complex languages .
These oral communication often feature a more consistent discussion orderliness and aphonetic rudiment , where word of honor are enunciate as they are compose , which can make encyclopaedism pronunciation and spelling easier .
This is in contrast to languages with intricate grammar organization or maverick pronunciations , which can pose additional challenges . Gallic pronunciation and Portuguese pronunciation in particular can demonstrate tongue twisters that seem counterintuitive to non - native speakers .
3. Latin Roots
Another important aspect is the extent to which a linguistic process usesLatin roots . Many of the most wide spoken linguistic communication — such as Spanish , French and Italian — have Romance origins . For English speakers , these Romance spoken communication can be relatively easy to learn due to the many Latin - gain words that have been absorbed into English over centuries .
This share mental lexicon can make understanding and memorize new Word of God less intimidating . to boot , the Latin alphabet used by these Romance languages means that English speakers do not need to ascertain a new playscript , further ease the learning procedure .
4. Opportunity
The availability of resources and opportunities for language acquisition can also bear upon how easy it is to learn a alien linguistic process . nomenclature that are democratic and widely taught , such as Spanish and French , often have abundant learnedness textile and immersive environments , making practice and accomplishment more practicable .
3 Easiest Languages for Native English Speakers to Learn
establish on these criteria , three of the easiest linguistic process to find out for English speakers are Spanish , Dutch , and Swedish . Here ’s a closer look at why these speech stand up out as some of the most approachable option for English learner .
1. Spanish
Spanish is often cited as one of the easy languages for English speakers to learn , and there are several reasons for this . It ’s practical because the United States is the secondly - largest Spanish - mouth country worldwide , and it ’s thefirst languageof over 13 percent of the U.S. population .
to boot , there are 21Spanish - speaking countrieswith Spanish as their official language , and many others with pregnant populations of citizenry who speak Spanish as their first language or as a 2d language . This makes Spanish the most widely mouth Romance language .
Spanish and English share a significant amount of vocabulary due to their Latin roots . Over 30 per centum of English words amount from Latin — and Spanish , being a Romance speech , uses many Latin - based lyric . This means that English speakers will encounter familiar terminus in Spanish , which can make vocabulary acquisition gentle .
Spanish grammar is relatively straightforward , liken to other languages . While it does haveverb conjugations , the principle are consistent , and there are few atypical verbs compare to speech like French . Spanish also has a readable and predictable sentence structure , with a dependent - verb - object discussion order similar to English .
Spanish is a phonic speech communication , meaning that words are pronounced as they are written . This give orthoepy and spelling more intuitive for English speakers , who can often prognosticate how a parole should fathom , based on its spelling .
Spanish is a widely spoken voice communication and is instruct extensively around the Earth . There are abundant resources uncommitted , including textbook , online courses and language substitution opportunity . to boot , the preponderance of Spanish - speaking communities ply ample praxis opportunities .
2. Dutch
Dutch is another language that is comparatively easy for English speakers to determine , thanks to several key features .
Dutch is a Germanic terminology , just like English . This means that Dutch ploughshare many law of similarity with English in terms of vocabulary and grammar . For instance , Dutch and English have similar word roots and a corresponding sentence body structure , smoothen the transition between the two spoken communication .
Dutch grammar , while not as elementary as Spanish , is still achievable for English verbalizer . It has fewer grammatical cause and simple verb conjugation rules than other Teutonic languages like German .
The language ’s body structure is passably similar to English , with straightforward judgment of conviction building and clear grammatic ruler .
Dutch has a relatively straight phonetic system . While there are some speech sound that might be raw to English speakers , the overall pronunciation rules are consistent .
Dutch is widely spoken in the Netherlands and Belgium , and there are numerous learning resources usable , admit textbooks , online courses and language interchange platforms . The presence of Dutch media and the nation ’s mellow floor of English proficiency also provide excellent immersion opportunity .
3. Swedish
Swedish is also considered one of the easiest languages for English speakers to learn , with several advantage .
Swedish is another Teutonic language , which intend it shares a lot of linguistic feature of speech with English . Many English words have Swedish counterpart , and the two language have similar vocabulary and prison term structure .
Swedish grammar is comparatively square . It has few grammatical normal and exceptions compared to other Teutonic languages . For instance , Swedish does not have complex noun declension or verb conjugations , and the sentence structure is like to English , with a Subject - Verb - Object order .
Swedish has a relatively regular phonetic system , though it does have some unique audio that English Speaker will need to learn . However , overall pronunciation is consistent and manageable for prentice .
Swedish is wide taught in many nation , and there are legion resource useable , such as text edition , online track , and Swedish language media . The high level of English proficiency in Sweden also offers English speakers many opportunities for practice and immersion .
3 Easiest Languages to Learn Worldwide
ground on these criteria , Esperanto , Swahili and Indonesian emerge as some of the easiest languages to find out for hoi polloi around the world . Each of these languages has features that make them approachable to learners of various linguistic backgrounds , not just those who learn the English speech communication first .
1. Esperanto
Esperantois widely recognized as one of the easiest language to learn , due to its deliberate design for simplicity and international communicating .
L. L. Zamenhof created Esperanto in the late nineteenth century as a universal second language to further global understanding . Its grammar is remarkably simple , with no unpredictable verbs , no gender for noun , and straightforward rules for Son establishment . This figure makes it an idealistic language for beginners .
Esperanto uses the Latin ABC’s with a consistent phonic organisation . Each alphabetic character has only one sound , and words are enounce as they are save , which removes vulgar pronunciation challenges found in natural languages . This phonic regularity is a substantial vantage for learners from diverse linguistic backgrounds .
Despite being a constructed speech , Esperanto has a robust external residential area and a wealth of resource for learners . There are numerous on-line courses , textbooks and language exchange opportunities , as well as a global meshwork of Esperanto speakers who actively engage in ethnical and educational exchange .
2. Swahili
Swahili is weigh one of the easiest African language to learn , and its accessibility is attribute to several key agent .
Swahili grammar is comparatively square in comparability to many other African languages . It does not have complex verb conjugations or noun declination , and the basic judgment of conviction structure follows a subject - verb - physical object order , alike to English . This simpleness allows learners to quickly grasp basic well-formed concepts .
Swahili is a phonetic spoken language , so watchword are judge as they are written . The language has a limited set of vowel and consonant sounds , which makes pronunciation easier for learners . This phonic clarity facilitate learner achieve exact orthoepy and spelling .
Swahili is one of the most widely spoken voice communication in Africa , suffice as alingua francain several East African countries , including Kenya , Tanzania and Uganda . This far-flung use means there are sizeable learning resourcefulness usable , including text , on-line trend , and medium in Swahili .
to boot , Swahili has a comparatively straightforward speech structure and vocabulary that has been influenced by Arabic , Lusitanian and English , making it easier for prentice from diverse backgrounds to pick up .
3. Indonesian
Indonesian ( or Bahasa Indonesia ) is another language that is see easy to larn for a broad interview , due to its linguistic feature film and the availability of resources .
Indonesian grammar is relatively wide-eyed . It does not use tense or grammatic sex , and verbs do not conjugate for person or number . This deficiency of uniting reduces the complexness of learning verb forms and allows learners to focus on vocabulary and basic condemnation bodily structure .
Indonesian is a phonic language , meaning that words are say as they are written . It employ the Latin alphabet , and the pronunciation of words is extremely reproducible , which simplify both take and talk for learners .
Indonesian is the prescribed language of Indonesia , a country with a rich culture and a high level of interest in outside communication . As a result , there are many resourcefulness usable for learners , including terminology courses , text edition , on-line materials and medium such as film , medicine and word .
5 Factors That Make a Language Difficult to Learn
If you ’re interested in learning a unexampled - to - you voice communication but observe yourself unimaginative by the six we ’ve already cover , there are also several element that make a language harder to memorise , which you may want to take into consideration before embarking on your linguistic journeying .
1. Intricate Grammar
Languages with intricate grammatical organisation , such as Russian or Arabic , can present meaning difficulties . For good example , Russian features complex case endings that change found on the grammatical office of a word , while Arabic includes a root - and - pattern system for word formation that can be hard to grasp for novice .
These advanced grammar rule require learners to memorize and apply legion exceptions and rules , which can be pall .
2. Unfamiliar Script
Another challenge is the presence of an unfamiliar composition arrangement or script . Languages like Mandarin Chinese or Nipponese utilize non - Romance scripts that can nonplus an initial barrier for learner . Mandarin Chinese utilizes grand of fiber , each with its unequaled meaning and orthoepy , while Nipponese employs three different scripts : hiragana , katakana and kanji .
Learning these scripts demands important prison term and effort , as fight to languages that apply the Latin first rudiment , which English speakers are already familiar with . This strangeness can slow down down the learnedness process and create extra hurdle for control the language .
3. Phonetic Novelties
phonic divergence also play a vital role in the difficulty of language acquisition . language that have sounds or phoneme not present in English , such as the tonal distinctions in Mandarin or the guttural sounds in Arabic , can be in particular challenge for learners .
These phonetic elements require careful listening and practice to produce and distinguish sounds accurately , which can be difficult for English speakers who do not have a background in such audio .
4. Sentence Structure
Sentence structure and password order can also contribute to the complexity of a language . For case , in Japanese , the standard time body structure follows a dependent - verb - aim orderliness , which is quite different from the subject - verb - aim parliamentary procedure used in English .
Adjusting to a new conviction social structure ask apprentice to reframe their thinking and adapt to a unlike means of organizing information , which can be a thought-provoking cognitive shift .
5. Limited Exposure
to boot , languages with limited resourcefulness for learners can be more unmanageable to acquire . For example , languages that are less widely spoken or less commonly teach , such as Xhosa or Basque , might lack sufficient learning textile , experient instructors , and exercise opportunities .
This scarcity of resource can make it hard for learners to find support and dousing experience , which are of the essence for good language learning .
We create this article in conjunction with AI technology , then made sure it was fact - checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor in chief .
