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Yep. First rule of languages: Languages are not logic. If somebody tells you that their mother tongue is more logical than language X, it's in most cases just

Yep. First rule of languages: Languages are not logic. If somebody tells you that their mother tongue is more logical than language X, it's in most cases just bias of the native speaker who is not aware of the difficulties. Second rule of languages: There are no easy or hard languages. Whether a language is easy or difficult to learn, depends entirely on the languages you already speak (and, of course, the environment, e.g. whether you have access to learning material). (edit) Big exception: Writing systems. Learning 5000 Chinese characters is objectively harder than learning how to read Spanish. Unfortunately, a difficult writing system has also a negative impact on speaking skills because it hinders you from quickly extending your vocabulary by reading books etc.

Tor3 8y ago
> a difficult writing system has also a negative impact on speaking skills because it hinders you from quickly extending your vocabulary by reading books etc. True enough. I learned two of the languages I know by reading books (after starting with magazines etc). I never used a dictionary - not once. Because when you finally associate a word with its meaning, through understanding, you don't forget it, unlike with a dictionary (which can't give you the exact meaning either - just the nearest translation). But I can't use that method with languages with a different writing system, not in the beginning at least.
- chosenbreed 8y ago
  > True enough. I learned two of the languages I know by reading books (after starting with magazines etc) Interesting...how long did it take you to become proficient? And does proficiency in speech your reading ability?
  - Tor3 8y ago
    I can't honestly remember how long it took. Not that long, possibly. The first book took a while, but at the end of the book I had decoded what I first didn't understand (by seeing the words used in various contexts), and reading books after that became easy. New expressions and phrases were quickly understood. Before that I had been reading a magazine about stuff I was very interested in (I for one need more motivation than just 'learn the language'. I believe my interest in what I was reading was crucial, without that it wouldn't have worked). Then I read a couple of relatively short books about science, again not too difficult. At a later time I picked up a book in the international section in a book shop while travelling for work (lots of hotel time..), and since then I just continued. And yes I think it does help a lot with my speaking proficiency too (I think that was what you meant by your last question), although it does absolutely nothing for my pronunciation..
dorfsmay 8y ago
I have to disagree. Past a certain age, you will learn a lot from written material, and the difference between a language that is orthographically regular and one that isn't, is like night and day.

Tor3 8y ago

> a difficult writing system has also a negative impact on speaking skills because it hinders you from quickly extending your vocabulary by reading books etc. True enough. I learned two of the languages I know by reading books (after starting with magazines etc). I never used a dictionary - not once. Because when you finally associate a word with its meaning, through understanding, you don't forget it, unlike with a dictionary (which can't give you the exact meaning either - just the nearest translation). But I can't use that method with languages with a different writing system, not in the beginning at least.

chosenbreed 8y ago
> True enough. I learned two of the languages I know by reading books (after starting with magazines etc) Interesting...how long did it take you to become proficient? And does proficiency in speech your reading ability?
- Tor3 8y ago
  I can't honestly remember how long it took. Not that long, possibly. The first book took a while, but at the end of the book I had decoded what I first didn't understand (by seeing the words used in various contexts), and reading books after that became easy. New expressions and phrases were quickly understood. Before that I had been reading a magazine about stuff I was very interested in (I for one need more motivation than just 'learn the language'. I believe my interest in what I was reading was crucial, without that it wouldn't have worked). Then I read a couple of relatively short books about science, again not too difficult. At a later time I picked up a book in the international section in a book shop while travelling for work (lots of hotel time..), and since then I just continued. And yes I think it does help a lot with my speaking proficiency too (I think that was what you meant by your last question), although it does absolutely nothing for my pronunciation..

dorfsmay 8y ago

I have to disagree. Past a certain age, you will learn a lot from written material, and the difference between a language that is orthographically regular and one that isn't, is like night and day.