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Why the “Hardest Language in the World” Doesn’t Exist
The idea that one language is inherently harder than another is a myth
When considering a new language, many wonder, “What is the hardest language in the world?” This is a natural starting point; some might want a challenge, and others might need more time or mental bandwidth than they have to take on something so complex. Unfortunately, a learner’s difficulty with a language depends on many factors.
Rethinking the “Hardest Language” Myth
The challenge of learning a new language depends on various factors, such as exposure to similar languages, determination, mindset, mood on a study day, and, most importantly, the language or languages a learner already speaks.
The concept of linguistic distance also plays a crucial role here. How significant are the differences in grammar, vocabulary, writing systems, and the sounds used in a learner’s target language and the language(s) a learner already speaks?
An English speaker, for example, would have a more challenging time with Swedish than a German speaker, and an Italian speaker learning French might find it easier than a Spanish speaker.
