Many adults find it tough to grasp new skills. Just think about how your uncle struggles with his smartphone or how you wished you had learned to drive a stick shift in your teens instead of waiting until your thirties. If you’re seeking a way to keep your mind active, learning a new language is a fantastic option. Whether you’re eager to travel, want to add “bilingual” to your resume, or simply need a new hobby to break free from quarantine boredom, acquiring a new language can be the perfect remedy. Don’t just take our word for it; research indicates that learning a second language can enhance cognitive function, no matter when you embark on your linguistic journey. But be warned: some languages are tougher than others. Here’s a look at some of the most difficult languages to learn if you’re up for the challenge.
This isn’t an exhaustive list of complex languages, and we don’t mean to dishearten you. Picking up a new language can be one of the most rewarding and confidence-boosting experiences, though it does require considerable effort. If you’re concerned about facing obstacles, consider starting with a language that has Latin roots, as they tend to be more similar to English. And if you’re confident that a few stumbles won’t deter you, one of these languages might just be the exciting challenge you’re seeking.
1. Mandarin Chinese
Did you know that Mandarin Chinese is the most spoken language in the world? While many high schools focused on French and Spanish in the 90s, you’ll now find Mandarin classes widely available. Achieving fluency in Chinese involves mastering thousands of characters and consistently practicing tonal pronunciation. For instance, the word “ma” can mean “mother,” “horse,” “rough,” or “scold,” depending on the tone used. It’s easy to see how such nuances might lead to awkward situations abroad.
2. Arabic
Arabic presents unique challenges for English speakers, starting with its distinct alphabet, which consists of 28 letters and features very few vowels. Additionally, Arabic is read from right to left, requiring a complete mental shift for many learners. Think of it as learning to drive on the opposite side of the road—only more complicated! Like Mandarin, Arabic has numerous dialects, adding to its complexity. However, it’s a rich and poetic language worth the effort.
3. Russian
As with Arabic and Mandarin, Russian employs its own alphabet—the Cyrillic script—which contains 28 letters. Some letters can be pronounced in multiple ways, adding to the confusion. Many learners become discouraged when they discover the seemingly arbitrary rules of stress and emphasis. For those familiar with Greek, the Cyrillic alphabet may provide a bit of an advantage in pronunciation, but understanding the language remains a formidable task.
4. Turkish
At last, a language that uses the Latin alphabet! However, don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s easy. Although Turkish underwent a major reform in 1928 to adopt Latin characters, many of its words are derived from Arabic. While Turkish doesn’t require as much conjugation, it uses prefixes and suffixes to change meanings, and they often add extra letters to improve fluidity. Despite its reputation for being difficult, there are numerous resources available to aid your learning.
5. Polish
Compared to other languages on this list, Polish might seem more manageable due to its Latin alphabet. However, the language is notorious for its scarcity of vowels and an abundance of consonants, making pronunciation tricky. English has just two cases (singular and plural), while Polish boasts a whopping 14, making sentence formation a complex endeavor.
6. Japanese
Spoken Japanese isn’t as complicated as some other languages. With only five vowels and 13 consonants, it seems straightforward. The challenge lies in written Japanese, which incorporates five different scripts—kanji, hiragana, katakana, Arabic numerals, and the Roman alphabet. To be functional, learners must know nearly 10,000 words, significantly more than the 3,000 required for English or Spanish, and 2,000 for French. Many who live in Japan report that it can take years of full immersion just to reach a basic conversational level.
In summary, while these languages may be among the hardest to learn, the journey of language acquisition can be incredibly rewarding. If you’re keen on diving into a new linguistic adventure, don’t shy away from the challenge. For more insights and tips, check out our other blog posts here and consider exploring resources like Kindbody for additional guidance on your journey.