English is a West Germanic language and is known as a lingua franca. It was initially spoken in medieval England and is the third most spoken language in the world after Chinese and Spanish. It is learned as the second language and is the official language in almost sixty sovereign states. Many people are learning English as a second language. Learning English will help you in multiple ways.
English is an international communication language and it is widely used and among the most dominant business languages used across the globe. Moreover, it is rightly termed as the language of the internet. Did you know that over 50 % of the most visited websites across the globe are in the English language? Thus, learning to speak and write English can open doors to several learning and business opportunities for you.
Now that you know how significant learning English can be, you might be interested to get started. Please note that it is not going to be easy for you. Foreigners often find it difficult to learn because of several different reasons. If you are planning to learn it, know that it will be very time-consuming. However, you will get to learn with persistence and practice.
Why the English Language is hard to learn
There are almost 6000 languages spoken around the globe. Some languages are subtly related to each other than others. The scientific prospects of linguists say that languages are like families. They are originated from each other and forms the family tree. Migration patterns also affect the development of languages over time. Besides, new concepts and antiquity are being constantly added. This means that languages are constantly being discovered but we need to find them in the family tree.
For example English is from a Germanic family of languages so German and Dutch will find it easier to learn English than the speakers of Japanese which is not related to Germanic languages. Many people are learning English to get a better position in society, to secure work, and communicate effectively with people around the globe. Let’s look at five of the biggest dilemmas in English learning.
1. Grammar
English Grammar is very complicated and makes the English language difficult to learn and use logically. It becomes more difficult when you are speaking to someone who is speaking English at a fast pace. Learning grammar is similar to learning how to drive a car. Just like driving, you won't be good at learning the English Language unless you practice it.
Grammar holds a significant role in English learning. Incorrect use of grammar will change the meaning of your communication. Although the existence of unique grammatical patterns in English makes it difficult to learn a language, with persistence and practice, you can learn. Native English speakers are very sensitive towards the use of grammar and notice immediately if any grammatical error is made.
Simply put, complex grammar rules pose a great challenge for English language learners. If and when you get a strong command of English grammar, learning the language becomes easy.
2. Vocabulary
As per the facts of the English Language, 26% of English is originated from Germanic, 30% from French, and 30% from Latin. This shows French and Latin speakers may not face any difficulty in learning English because they are familiar with lots of vocabulary. The same is the case with Dutch and German speakers. English has the biggest vocabulary as compared to other languages.
It can be confusing for non-native English speakers to learn. If vocabulary is not properly used then it is noticeable to those speakers whose native language is English. Not using appropriate vocabulary does not alter the meaning of your text but it weakens it.
3. Slang and Idioms
If you want to learn the English language and want to use it with native speakers, you need to learn slang words and expressions. Formal expressions and grammar may isolate you from native speakers and make it difficult to establish a communication connection. Another difficult thing in learning English is learning idioms.
An idiom is an expression of words whose meaning does not relate to its literal meaning. People who are learning English find it difficult to predict what exactly the expression of words means. All the languages use idioms but the scope, choices of English idioms are difficult for English learners to seek.
4. Pronunciation
Pronunciation in the English language is not so easy. People who speak English have been taught how to pronounce "k" or knight. They are taught through subtleties how to pronounce something and how to communicate the right message. Therefore considering the first language of English students, it is very difficult to pronounce certain words properly. For this, you need to create that phonetic sound before.
5. Deviations in English
The deviations in different dialects of English are very difficult to understand. For instance the difference between formal and informal and spoken and written language. Because of this, many students start writing words phonetically. This means how they would say it rather than how it is spelled.
Conclusion
To become a part of the global world, learning the English language is very important. Although learning the English language is not easy and there are many challenges that you will have to face. Still, with dedication and consistency, you can learn how to speak and write in English. Pay special attention to English grammar, vocabulary, slang, idioms, pronunciation, and English language deviations and learning will become fun for you.
In case if you are unable to overcome English learning barriers then you need to contact English Translation Services. Many translation companies help you in the translation of all sorts of documents in the English language but still for speaking, you need to practice.
Read More: Difficult Languages to Translate
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