English is an easy language, right? Afterall, we use it everyday. However, for non-english speakers, english is actually an extremely difficult language to learn for several reasons. It may come as a surprise because you speak it everyday, but english is one of the hardest languages in the world.
To begin with, our spelling alone is enough to confuse someone. Unlike other languages that spell phonetically such as Spanish, English almost requires the simple memorization of the spelling of words. For example, words like 'through,' trough,' and 'though' all sound so different, and yet, they are spelt in similar ways. The english language is also full of subtle ordering rules and tricks that native speakers aren't even aware of. For instance, you wouldn't say, "a little cute dog." You would say, "a cute little dog." It simply 'flows' better.
English synonyms can also be confusing. The words of the english language come from diverse etymological origins. To become a master english speaker, you must know what words to use when. Native speakers know we can watch TV and and we can watch a movie, but we can only see a movie, not TV. Could you explain exceptions like this to a Spanish speaker?
The way we phrase questions is also confusing. If i were to say, "it is cold," and then ask, "is it cold?" the switch of the is and it is almost unconscious. However, to a person new to the English language, this switch could be extremely confusing.
Overall, the english language is a difficult and confusing one, even though we speak it everyday.
This is absolutely true. Even a lot of native English speakers still don't use English correctly, and this is really bothersome. I feel like, as the generations pass, that people are becoming more and more illiterate. It's not just the non-native speaks that get comfused; native English speakers get things wrong still, too! There's a reason we need to go to English class in school. Haha!
ReplyDeleteI definatley agree, I mean I myself find it confusing still. Just remembering and using all the rules correctly is sometimes difficult. I hate to watch students from foreign countries come here and try to learn English. But nevertheless English is am ever-changing and growing language.
ReplyDeleteYou give great examples of syntax in other languages -these help to illustrate your points about English.
ReplyDeleteBe sure to proofread in order to avoid spelling and capitalization errors.
Add insight to this piece by exploring where these confusing conventions come from or why English is so great despite its confusing aspects.