The Myth of "Hard Languages": Is One Language Really Harder Than Another?

“How many languages do you speak?” It’s a common question, often followed by an astonished, “Wow, that language must be so hard!” But is it really? The idea that some languages are objectively harder than others is one of the most persistent myths in language learning. Yet, experts and polyglots alike challenge this notion.

Breaking Down the Myth

Many people assume that languages like Mandarin, Arabic, or Finnish are inherently difficult, while Spanish or French are "easy." But difficulty is relative—it depends on who’s learning. A native English speaker might struggle with Mandarin’s characters, while a Mandarin speaker could find English’s irregular spelling just as frustrating. The key factor isn’t the language itself—it’s how different or similar it is to what you already know.

The renowned linguist David Crystal has often emphasized that language difficulty is subjective and depends on a learner’s background. Similarly, polyglot Benny Lewis, known for his Fluent in 3 Months method, argues that mindset and immersion matter far more than the so-called complexity of a language. Even the famous linguist Noam Chomsky has suggested that all languages share deep structural similarities, making them equally learnable with the right approach.

What Does Science Say? The FSI Language Difficulty Rankings

The U.S. Foreign Service Institute (FSI), which trains American diplomats, categorizes languages based on how long it typically takes an English speaker to reach professional fluency. They divide languages into five groups:

✅ Category I (Easiest, ~24 weeks/600 hours) – Spanish, French, Italian, Dutch. These languages share many similarities with English.

✅ Category II (~36 weeks/900 hours) – German, because of its complex grammar and word order.

✅ Category III (~44 weeks/1,100 hours) – Indonesian, Swahili, and languages with fewer similarities to English.

✅ Category IV (~88 weeks/2,200 hours) – Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin & Cantonese), Japanese, and Korean. These languages have complex writing systems or vastly different grammar structures.

While the FSI rankings provide useful estimates, they don’t consider motivation, exposure, or personal learning strategies—all of which can make a so-called "hard" language easier.

What Really Affects Language Learning?

🔹 Language Family Similarity – If your native language is English, learning German or Dutch might be easier than learning Korean, simply because they share common roots and structures.

🔹 Exposure and Practice – The more you engage with a language, the easier it feels. That’s why languages with lots of media exposure (like English, Spanish, or Japanese) often seem more accessible.

🔹 Motivation and Learning Methods – A language is only as "hard" as your approach to learning it. As polyglot Steve Kaufmann says, “The best language to learn is the one you’re motivated to stick with.”

Rethinking “Hard” Languages

Instead of asking, “Is this language hard?” ask, “How can I make it easier for myself?” Whether it’s watching movies, listening to music, or practicing with native speakers, there are countless ways to immerse yourself and make any language feel natural.

So, next time someone tells you a language is too difficult, just smile—because you know that with the right mindset, no language is truly out of reach! 🌍✍️