Learning a foreign language is an exciting journey—but often a complex one. Why do Mandarin or Arabic feel more difficult than Spanish or Italian? Beyond clichés, these differences stem from objective linguistic factors. This blog post explores why some languages feel more demanding to learn, a theme explored in Why Are Some Languages More Difficult to Learn? by Léwis Verdun.

This article unpacks concepts such as linguistic distance, grammar, phonology, writing systems, and cultural nuances to better understand the challenge of language learning.

Linguistic Distance: An Invisible but Crucial Factor

Languages that share similarities are naturally easier to learn. The concept of linguistic distance measures how closely related two languages are. A French speaker, for instance, will generally find Spanish or Italian more accessible than Russian or Korean due to shared roots like Latin and the Roman alphabet.

The closer the structural and lexical connections, the more intuitive the learning process becomes. Conversely, languages like Japanese or Vietnamese involve a complete shift in linguistic logic.

Phonology and Pronunciation: When Sound Gets in the Way

Phonology—the system of sounds and pronunciation—poses an early challenge. Languages like Mandarin are tonal, meaning the same syllable can have different meanings depending on the pitch. This tonal system is unfamiliar to most French or English speakers.

Other languages, such as German or Russian, feature consonant clusters that make pronunciation more difficult. Intonation, rhythm, and stress patterns also shape how understandable speech is.

Grammar and Syntax: The Hidden Logic of Language

Grammatical complexity is often the most intimidating barrier. Romance languages have familiar features like conjugation and word order, but others like Finnish employ numerous cases and different syntactic logic.

Turkish, for example, is an agglutinative language, forming words by adding suffixes. This requires learners to adjust to a new grammatical system and remember numerous combinations.

Writing Systems: From Decoding to Mastery

Beyond speaking, writing systems significantly influence perceived difficulty. English and German use the Latin alphabet, which feels familiar to French speakers.

However, Arabic, Russian, or Chinese require learning entirely new scripts. Arabic letters change form based on their position and are written right to left. Chinese demands memorization of thousands of characters, increasing cognitive load.

Cultural Nuances: Language as a Worldview

Every language reflects a cultural framework. Japanese, for example, adjusts its structure based on social hierarchy, requiring learners to grasp various levels of politeness and formality.

Such cultural subtleties influence pragmatics—the social use of language—and are often overlooked in traditional classrooms.

Overcoming the Challenges: A Strategic Approach

To navigate these complexities, a smart learning strategy is essential. Here are some practical tips:

Identify Your Strengths

  • Start with languages related to your native tongue.

  • Leverage your existing skills (grammar, listening, visual memory).

Immerse Yourself

  • Watch series with subtitles.

  • Listen to podcasts or music in the target language.

  • Read beginner content: blogs, children’s books, comics.

Use Structured Resources

  • Vocabulary apps like Anki or Duolingo.

  • Progressive grammar guides.

  • Language exchanges with native speakers.

Set Realistic Goals

  • Reaching conversational fluency in a few months is achievable.

  • Full fluency requires consistency and patience.

Learn How to Learn

  • Know your learning style (visual, auditory, kinesthetic).

  • Use spaced repetition for memory retention.

  • Create mnemonic devices for complex structures.

A Must-Read for Language Learners

Language learning is not a linear path. It’s shaped by linguistic, psychological, and cultural factors. In Why Are Some Languages More Difficult to Learn?, Léwis Verdun presents a clear and accessible synthesis of these challenges.

In just 5 minutes, the book breaks down why some languages feel “impossible” while others seem intuitive—and how to adapt your learning strategy for success.

Discover Why Are Some Languages More Difficult to Learn? now on Five Minutes!