What makes English difficult? (Specific Languages) Language Learning Forum

What makes English difficult?
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Language Learning Forum : Specific Languages

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Марк
Senior Member
Russian Federation
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Message 17 of 45

16 December 2012 at 9:36pm | IP Logged

Spinchäeb Ape wrote:

Another thing that can make English difficult is the fact that
there are lots and lots of idioms. A non-native speaker can learn what the nouns and
verbs mean, only for them to remain confusing when they show up in idiomatic expressions.
For example, "I want to ask her out." If a non-speaker doesn't know this idiom, he's
probably wondering what he wants to ask her. Does he want to go outside and ask her
something? You just have to know the idiom.

That's true for any language.
6 persons have voted this message useful

Serpent
Octoglot
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Russian Federation
serpent-849.livejour
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Message 18 of 45

17 December 2012 at 12:14am | IP Logged

These are phrasal verbs rather than idioms. Idioms are indeed present in every natural language and that's awesome! Phrasal verbs are somewhat difficult, yes...

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kokame
Diglot
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Australia
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Studies: Korean

Message 19 of 45

17 December 2012 at 3:35am | IP Logged

I think when you're learning English, learn a bit of Latin, 'cause my best friend had said that the Latin had helped her
a lot with the general structure of English.
I also think that the grammar structure is a bit difficult, especially coming from a country that doesn't say the
subject, verb and object structure.
The last think I find really difficult is being able to elaborate your ideas into something that people can read, like in
an essay or report. I mean.. my essays are usually just average, but there are people who can write an amazing
essay and they really know how to use the language..

this is just my opinion ^^;;;
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William Camden
Hexaglot
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United Kingdom
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Message 20 of 45

17 December 2012 at 12:27pm | IP Logged

I have known foreigners who could speak and understand English quite well but had real trouble writing it. The irregular spelling system was the main culprit.

I find it interesting that languages that become lingua francas and have many L2 speakers are often not intrinsically easy. For example, Koine Greek was a widespread language of the Roman Empire, yet was not particularly easy to learn, even if it was rather simplified compared to Classical Greek.
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tractor
Tetraglot
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Norway
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Message 21 of 45

17 December 2012 at 2:17pm | IP Logged

kokame wrote:

I think when you're learning English, learn a bit of Latin, 'cause my best friend had said that the
Latin had helped her a lot with the general structure of English.

If you want to learn English it is better to spend your time learning English rather than Latin.
7 persons have voted this message useful

tractor
Tetraglot
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Norway
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Message 22 of 45

17 December 2012 at 2:23pm | IP Logged

William Camden wrote:

I find it interesting that languages that become lingua francas and have many L2
speakers are often not intrinsically easy. For example, Koine Greek was a widespread language of the Roman
Empire, yet was not particularly easy to learn, even if it was rather simplified compared to Classical Greek.

Latin wasn't exactly easy either. However, I'm not sure there were many "easy" languages spoken in the Roman
Empire.
1 person has voted this message useful

beano
Diglot
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Message 23 of 45

17 December 2012 at 2:35pm | IP Logged

Due to it's geographical position and quirks of history, Great Britain has been subjected to several major lingusitic influences. English is a Germanic language which has been heavily modified by French and with healthy doses of Latin and Norse thrown into the mix.

Does English actually have a larger vocabulary than "purer" languages which haven't been re-shaped so many times by outside influences?

Edited by beano on 17 December 2012 at 2:36pm
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tractor
Tetraglot
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Norway
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Speaks: Norwegian*, English, Spanish, Catalan
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Message 24 of 45

17 December 2012 at 2:44pm | IP Logged

beano wrote:

Does English actually have a larger vocabulary than "purer" languages which haven't been re-
shaped so many times by outside influences?

Maybe, but how do we count words in a reliable and meaningful way?

Edited by tractor on 17 December 2012 at 2:45pm

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