We have history to thank for this. They share many words with English, but it's that common vocabulary . This can be difficult for a learner to get used to, especially if it is not something that they have ever come across before. This makes learning new vocabulary much easier because the letters are ones that you are already familiar with and you can figure out how to pronounce something with relative ease. . According to the Foreign Service Institute (FSI), Spanish belongs to category I by difficulty. At the end of the day, it all comes down to your motivation and persistence. Feel free to get in touch about anything. Like Welsh, Gaelic is another language that comes from Britain and so is very close geographically to England. Out of the many languages and dialects in the Middle East and Central Asia, Persian (Farsi) is one of the most historically rich and fascinating to learn. As an Austronesian language, Indonesian does differ quite a bit from the Germanic and Romance languages on this list, but its actually surprisingly straightforward for English-speakers to learn. Similar in many ways to Norwegian, Swedish is yet another Germanic language that is a little simpler for native English speakers to learn. Spanish 2. Afrikaans is a beautiful language that is surprisingly easy to learn for native English speakers. For instance, He comes from Norway translates to Han kommer fra Norge., Norwegian is spoken by around 5 million people, primarily in Norway. German is, as the name suggests, a Germanic language. The List: Easiest Languages To Learn For English Speakers, According To Pros 1. Try one of the countless language learning apps, watch online videos of people teaching the language, or challenge yourself to read a chapter or an article in your chosen language. Some of the easiest languages for Americans to learn include Spanish, French, and Italian. The most challenging part of learning Dutch is pronunciation, but thats nothing you cant master, especially if you have some experience in learning other languages. There are some shared cognates such as ja which means yes and veld which means field. But compared to the languages with different writing systems and strange grammar concepts, learning basic Swedish is a piece of cake. However, the Empire still maintained cultural and political significance even as its sphere of influence shrank. These languages share many similarities with English, both in terms of grammar and vocabulary. Finally, if you want an open-source tutorial that is accessible from anywhere, check out Perso-Arabic alphabet and script lessons through WikiBooks and the sites lesson plans. This is what makes it obviously easier to learn by a native English speaker. These things will help you to stay focused and will motivate you to keep going, even when there are days where the learning is less enjoyable. Practice little but often and you will likely find that things stick in your head much faster and more easily. If you prefer warmer countries, youll be happy to hear that Spanish is also on the list of the easiest language to learn. Grammar and tones Its the most closely related to English out of all the languages in this list. Thats why Norwegian words like morgen, glass, and papir sound so familiar. Nowadays, Latin script is used, which is why native English speakers find it a little easier. This may seem strange since it is a Germanic language, and Germanic languages are meant to be easier for native English speakers to learn. Just like Spanish, Portuguese has an advantage of exposure. And of course, France exists! Even though its an artificial language, its 2 million speakers, several hundred thousand Wikipedia articles and organizations worldwide would argue that it still counts. Dutch is practically Englishs first cousin. Finally, its time to take a brief look at the complexities of the Persian language and what makes it work, in terms of grammar, syntax, and pronunciation. Another language that uses a similar style alphabet is Hebrew, which is also consonant-only. 28 Easiest Languages for English Speakers to Learn, Ranked. However, if you are looking for a modest challenge then Swahili is a great language choice for you. For example, several common borrowed words in English that come originally from Farsi words include the following: Overall, Farsi and the Persian language are spoken by millions of people, both within Middle Eastern countries and across the globe. If the grammar structure of the language you are learning is similar to your native language, it will undoubtedly be easier for you than if it were not. However, it is a Brittonic language of Celtic origin. There is also a welcome lack of verb conjugation, which is great news for learners, especially since this means that the sentence structure stays simple and short. , Pimsleur Spanish Review Repetitive But Effective. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. This problem is observed among many students, so they often turn to services like Thesis Rush, which helps with all kinds of writing theses, dissertations, or papers. For this reason, it is considered a macro language because its reach is vast and extensive. For example, the noun system is different from most other languages you may have heard of since it has three genders and two numbers. Table of Contents 7 Easiest Languages To Learn 1. Language vs Dialect: Whats the Difference? This makes it a very unique language to write, speak and hear. However, once this alteration becomes natural to you, the ability of these words to flow off the tongue comes with a joy second to none! Spanish 6. What makes them easy is the grammarthere are no grammatical categories for gender, number or tense. To do so, its time to journey back in time to the roots of many countries in the Middle East Persia itself, and the Persian Empire. Though Persian is spoken in several countries in the Middle East, it is primarily used in Iran and parts of Afghanistan as the Farsi language, or Iranian Persian. Don't worry, we've got you covered with our top 15 hardest languages to learn for English speakers. The tones and sounds of a language can have a direct impact on how difficult you find it to learn. (Download). Nevertheless, learning a new language takes time. The grammar is fairly straightforward, without inflection, agreements between nouns and adjectives, and even no genders of words to memorize. We also participate in other affiliate advertising programs for products and services we believe in. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. This is the part of the language that takes the longest to get to grips with, hence why it is a little further down the list. It has no cognates or loan words, and you are highly unlikely to draw similarities between Finnish and English. Contents 1. Although its considered fairly easy, mastering Norwegian takes time. Its the official language of both Portugal and Brazil, as well as six African countries, including Angola, Cape Verde and Mozambique, making it an extremely useful second language to have under your belt., Like Spanish, Portuguese stems from Latin and uses the same alphabet as the English language, which gives English speakers a slight advantage when learning it., One thing to keep in mind is that there are some distinct differences between European Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese. As well as this, the grammar rules are different from what we may be used to, as they follow the Subject Object Verb writing and speaking order. Speak aloud to yourself or record yourself doing it using your smartphone, computer, or a recording device. As we just mentioned, it can be very rewarding to make a friend who is on the same language learning journey as you. We approve.) Swedish has 10 million native speakers, mainly in Sweden but also in Finland. Although Frisia no longer exists, Frisian, which actually consists of three main dialects, is still in use in parts of the Netherlands and Germany., English and Frisian share many similarities in terms of sentence structure and vocabulary. English, for example, has many similarities to other Germanic languages (think German and Dutch). Passionate multilinguist. For instance, Good morning, translates to Goeie moarn in the West Frisian dialect., Unfortunately, since Frisian is only spoken and understood by about 500,000 people, theres little reason to learn it, unless you intend to relocate to the Dutch province of Friesland or Germanys Saterland or North Frisia regions., Dutch, like Frisian, is closely related to English. Frisian was once the primary language of what during the Middle Ages was known as Frisia. You will be glad you did when you hold your first conversation in your new language with a native speaker! You already know more than youre aware of in terms of vocabulary too. Even if it is just ten minutes a day, it is enough to keep what you have learned fresh in your mind. French features a few tricky components for native English-speaking learners, like gendered nouns, inconsistently pronounced letters, and lots of tricky silent letters. However, it will take considerably less time to learn conversational Spanish. Of course, its music. That being said, it is more than doable and there are a wealth of resources out there if you choose to learn this beautiful, song-like language. However, some languages are generally considered less demanding for English speakers. As if that wasnt enough, there are also no tones used in the Indonesian language, so you will not have a difficult extra element to learn. According to the FSI, professional working proficiency in this set of languages might take 23-24 weeks. Indonesian sentence structure is also similar to English and its grammatical rules are fairly simple. You and your buddy will be able to help each other. This app The natural rhythm of Persian spoken aloud is just as important, as it is a syllable-timed language that requires the right pronunciation to get your meaning across. Its spoken in Brazil and Portuguese, and although there are differences between the two, you can still get around in every Portuguese-speaking country. Dont worry according to FSIs language difficulty ranking, Portuguese is also in Category 1. For example, the word order in Swedish is also SVO. In order to put this list together, we took into account the numerous factors which should be considered when deciding whether or not a language is difficult, or easy to learn. Here are the top 7 languages for Arabic speakers to study. If the writer wants to be able to communicate with a large audience, then a widely-spoken language like English, Spanish, or Mandarin Chinese is a good choice. To learn Persian (Farsi), you will need about 1,100 hours, according to the Foreign Service Institute. Though Persia does not exist as a nation today, per-say, it does live on in the Middle Eastern countries that were created because of it. You can learn Persian from basics to advance level. Simplest Tongues To Master be quite good for your brain. However, if the writing style is very different from what you are used to then you may well struggle to get to grips with this at first. With the help of cognates and surprisingly simple grammar rules, you'll be on your way to mastering a language in no time. There are also no capital letters in Persian writing, making it difficult to decipher as an English speaker. If you want to expand your language vocabulary, you should definitely give it a try. You say what you see. The 10 Easiest Languages to Learn for English Speakers. This is especially important if the language you are learning is a tonal one. But yes, Swahili is also categorized as a less demanding language to learn. If you are interesting in learning Korean, it is worth looking at the Rocket Korean language course, part of the Rocket Languages series. The family they belong to are the Goidelic languages which, in turn, makes them a part of the Brittonic language family, like Welsh. The Norwegian sentence can be translated word for word in the exact order as it would be said in English. This is because Japanese has long been thought to be one of the most difficult languages ever to learn, whether you are native English speaking or not. An example of this is the Russian words and . can take anywhere. Dutch 2. Similar to the Rosetta Stone, the inscription features three languages for the same text, including Old Persian, Babylonian, and Elamite, and gives historians and linguists a great look into what the original dialect of Persia was like. Italian Demonstrative Pronouns And Adjectives (With Examples), French Vocabulary And Phrases For Military Personnel, 9 Best Sites To Find (And Schedule) Spanish Tutors, Chinese Isn't That Hard To Learn (Here's How Long It Takes), How To Ask For Help In Mandarin Chinese [Essential Phrases], How To Ask 'How Are You' (And Respond) In Greek. Italian is the primary language for around 64 million people, and although its not as widely used as Spanish or Portuguese, its still spoken in many countries outside of Italy, including in Switzerland, Croatia, Slovenia, and even Argentina., French is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, with around 77 million first-language speakers and 203 million second-language speakers. Some tonal languages may be particularly difficult for English speakers, as this is not something that they are used to. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. An example is the large group of languages called the Indo-European language family. Dutch is one of the most similar Germanic languages to that of English, so it is a great one to learn for native English speakers. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Other notable kings of Persia include Darius the Great, who presided over the Empire when it was at its peak. A solar calendar was introduced, as was Zoroastrianism as the Empires religion, and strides in metal-working and primarily gold production for coinage. Download our freeSpanish essentials eBook to help you get started. Although it can be a bit daunting, Swahili grammar is actually very straightforward. Norwegian. Persian is, first and foremost, an Indo-European language and so this makes it a little similar to English. Its also gaining global popularity, and more and more people are looking for online Swahili lessons. As you are getting to grips with the writing of the language, you will also need to familiarize yourself with the cultural aspects of the language. It is important to note that the Farsi and Persian languages are the same things, with Farsi simply being an endonym, or the languages name according to native speakers. 1 Language and diplomacy 2 Easiest (about 600 hours of study) 3 German (750 hours) 4 Malay and Swahili (900 hours) 5 Hungarian (1,100 hours) 6 Greek (1,100 hours) Arabic grammar is notouriously complex, and Persian speakers will have just as much problem with mastering the grammar as do English-speakers. This selection may also come as a surprise, but Indonesian has several qualities that make it a logical choice for English speakers. Spanish "As a native English speaker, you will likely get on well with a language that uses the same alphabet as you. There are many Mandarin Chinese language resources available online. But, Persian has an enormous amount of Arabic influence, which makes it easier for Iranians to speak and understand Arabic. For this reason, they have had a lot of influence on English, particularly American English. With Swahili speakers spread over 14 countries, Swahili is the most widely spoken language in Africa. Both Thai and Chinese are tonal languages. Afrikaans is a beautiful language that is surprisingly easy to learn for native English speakers. The word order format here follows a particular pattern of subject-object-verb, with prepositional phrases nestled between the subject and object. From Early to Classical New Persian, the language managed to become more simplified and easier to understand and spread along with new religious guidelines as people migrated between Middle Eastern countries, bringing the ever-changing language with them. In Spanish, a always sounds more or less like a (even with an accent mark), which we as learners appreciate. In addition to this, they also feature hard and soft sounds for each of the consonants, meaning that pronunciation can be difficult to get to grips with. Georgian is a language that is very unique as it has its own script. Apply for a place in courses that take place in Yerevan, Armenia through Aspirantums Language School, or opt for classes run by the University of Londons SOAS Language Center. You would not be alone in assuming that it would be a Slavic language given its proximity to Russia and other Slavic countries. Too easy for you and looking for something more challenging? Want to know which languages you have the best chance of mastering quickly?, Here are 15 of the easiest languages for English speakers to learn. Portuguese is spoken by around 234 million people around the world. Learn Persian Language in a fast way is now easy. Thai has five tones while Chinese has four. While many beginner courses or introductory lessons to the language ignore Persian script, its important to supplement your learning with understanding the alphabet of your target language, to encourage reading and writing Farsi in the original written form. Or, easier than other languages, to be more precise. This is because there may be similar cognates and some loan words that you will recognize. However, when you have that down, the rest will come relatively easily, especially since there are so few of them (No, really! These differences include word order differences, tenses, and even the inclusion of gender into language. Get 70% off + 10 languages + 14 day free trial. Indonesian 7 Easiest Languages To Learn This article will expose you to some of the simplest and moderate tongues you can learn. The original Persia is most commonly associated with the area of the Middle East and Gulf countries now known as Iran, though its ancient influence did extend beyond those constraints. This doesnt diminish the intrigue and fascination that comes from learning Farsi. For example, the English word ruthless has just two syllables, but the Polish word for ruthless has a whole five different syllable sounds and an astounding number of hard consonants Bezwzgldny. However, you can use this as ageneral guide. Listen to samples from a couple of languages you've been interested in. The first peoples of Persia under the rule of Cyrus the Great would have spoken this dialect, which we have written cuneiform evidence of, thanks to the Bistun Inscription, found on Mount Behistun near modern-day Kermanshah in Iran. Over 2000 of them are commonly used, so you need to know at least all of those. The multi-state system set up by Cyrus continued, including tax districts, infrastructure, communications, and transportation, all important to sustain such a massive expanse. Physical and cultural differences, Youll find all of this straight after the list! For example, the word frolic meaning to play and move around cheerfully (e.g. Yes, I would like to be contacted about special events, newsletters and program information. From online lessons to books, here is a full discussion of where to look for help when you want to learn this new language. We will cover the basics of the Persian language, its origins and cultural history, and some of the best ways to approach learning it for the first time, including great resources that are available now. Yes, we are being serious! FluentU Review [2023]: Details, Features and What Real Users Have to Say, The Penny Pinchers Guide to Learning Any Language for Free, The Top 8 What Language Should I Learn Online Quizzes, The 6 Best Sources of Language Learning Videos on the Internet. You shouldnt have unrealistic goals though. So you've decided to learn a language. Up until now, all the languages we have discussed have had estimated learning times of 600 hours or less. However, something that may soothe the pain of all these complex grammar rules is the fact that in Hungarian there are only three verb tenses to learn: the past, the present, and the future. First and foremost, it is a Romance language, but you cannot deny its Slavic influences, especially when you consider that Romanian once used the Cyrillic script. Yes, that is systems, plural. For an immersive Farsi language experience, download StoryTime in Farsi or Farsi Speaking Kids, but be prepared for a more advanced level of language learning without direct English translations. how long it will take you to learn a language, Download our freeSpanish essentials eBook to help you get started, Download our easy, visualItalian essentials eBook and get a head start, Download our free French essentials eBook to accompany your studies, Download our free German essentials eBook to see the similarities. For conversation and community-based lessons, opt for Mondlys courses that help you get fluent quickly and easily! Here are some good titles to get you started on Farsi lessons! From that perspective, there are no easy and hard languages. This family contains sub-groups of languages, namely the Germanic languages, the Romance languages (Spanish, French, and Portuguese among others), and Balto-Slavic languages (Prussian, Russian, Czech, Latvian, and more) to name but a few. This dialect was very similar to Semitic languages and actually used Aramaic script for its alphabet. This has meant that Italian culture and the language have stayed very much alive in these places. After all, thanks to exposure and wide reach of Spanish, English speakers wont find it very unfamiliar. Read up on the cultures associated with the languages to see which sound most fun to learn about. So, vocabulary is the first element of learning Spanish that you wont have problems with. Learning a language is a lifelong skill and you will be learning it forever but guess what? Dutch is full of English cognatesdrinken (to drink), kat (cat), week (week), licht (light) and hundreds more. A Russian word could look identical to another when it is written down, but may have two very different meanings. Nevertheless the language is a beautiful one, steeped in history. We mentioned Dutch above, but Afrikaans is like a grammatically boiled-down version of its parent language. Swahili does share some cognates with the English language such as gereji which means garage and friji which means fridge. Of course, there are some challenging things about learning Swedish.
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