Any expat will tell you that one of the most important stages of settling abroad is usually the process of learning and understanding a new language. The truth is that full integration in one's host country requires that one manages to communicate verbally in the country's national language. However, some of these languages may be more challenging than others, which means that it may take some time and extra effort being to able to communicate in the language fluently. Let's find out about some of the languages that are the most difficult for expats to learn.
The biggest challenge for expats
Moving abroad can be quite a challenge, especially when it comes to learning and communicating in languages that can be pretty complicated. For many, it will be mainly the alphabet, especially if it is different from the one you are used to. Only with that, reading a sign, the number of a building, or a menu in a restaurant will quickly become a nightmare. With this problem alone, acquiring grammar, pronunciation and phonemes, the rich and varied vocabulary, the complexity of conjugation rules and variations can be seen as an insurmountable task.
In addition, the differences between the written and spoken forms will add to the confusion. In some languages, some letters are not pronounced under certain conditions or produce a sound that is not writeable or pronounceable. Sometimes a word may have a different meaning depending on how it is placed in a sentence or conversation. Let's not talk about punctuation or the reading order, sometimes from left to right, sometimes from right to left.
Furthermore, in some countries, there will be the issue of dialects and accents that change depending on the region or city. Some may even be very different from the official language. This can be a real challenge for expatriates during the learning process.
Ten of the most difficult languages to learn
There are around 7,000 languages worldwide, some more widely spoken and some more complex than others. We have selected 10 of the most common languages, often considered the most difficult for expatriates to learn and acquire.
Mandarin
This language is considered the most difficult to fully learn and master, but it is also the most widely spoken in the world. This so-called "tonal" language is composed of five different tones, making it difficult to speak. The Chinese signs that form the alphabet don't help either! They simply don't give any clues as to how a word should be pronounced. It is a daunting task for new expatriates, but it is not impossible. One just has to be rigorous in learning and never be deterred.
French
Moliere's language has its place in this selection. With its irregular grammar, “deaf” letters and foreign influences, the French language can be a nightmare for expats, especially if their native language is not of Latin origin. In addition, the neutral and nasal pronunciation, as well as the liaison between certain words or the gender and noun conventions, not to mention certain very irregular verbs, make French a complex language to master.
Russian
One of the main difficulties of the Russian language is pronunciation. Some people even say that it is impossible! In fact, this language is said to be accentual, which means that the accent on words moves from one form to another; this is indeed a real challenge for many.
Arabic
Please note that we will only be talking about literary Arabic, as there are many different versions of spoken Arabic in different parts of the world and by different people. The 6th most spoken language in the world presents many difficulties, such as the alphabet and the reverse reading direction (from right to left and from bottom to top). Pronunciation and intricate sounds also present a significant challenge to learners, not to mention the rich vocabulary.
Japanese
The significant difference between the spoken and written forms of the Japanese language is the biggest obstacle when learning it. There is also the importance of politeness in vocabulary and sentence form, which can be complex for learners to acquire. Be prepared; you will surely make mistakes.
Icelandic
Considered one of the oldest in Europe, it is also the most difficult of the Nordic languages. It works by declension, that is, through three grammatical genres and four different variations. Expats often talk about the difficulty of pronunciation and the rich vocabulary. Some words are even difficult to guess if you are new to Icelandic culture.
Finnish
No one knows the precise origins of this language, but what expats do know is that learning it is not a walk in the park! Finnish is an agglutinative and inflectional language, which means that many prefixes and suffixes are added to words. The sentence structure is very random, and some sounds are complicated, even for native speakers. It is said that only people from Finland can fully master this language.
Danish
As with many Nordic languages, Danish is one of the most difficult languages in the world for expats to acquire. In fact, when you learn Danish, you are learning two languages: written and spoken. Danish uses 40 vowel sounds and some of them are very guttural, a complex thing for many. Adjective accord is particularly difficult for foreigners to grasp.
Polish
Spelling and grammar are two areas where Polish can be a challenge for learners. In addition, the pronunciation of the many consonants is sometimes tricky for people who are used to speaking other foreign languages.
Greek
Here is an ancestral language par excellence that gave birth to many other languages. Modern Greek has kept some of the basics of the original one which makes it complex to master. The Greek alphabet is one of the major difficulties, as are pronunciation and accents that define the meaning of a word.
Tips for learning your host country's language efficiently
If you're planning a move abroad, it is recommended that you learn the language well in advance before leaving, either by taking beginner's courses or by exchanging with native speakers located in your home country.
Once you are in your host country, taking language classes will be a mandatory step, especially if it is a more complex one. In addition to lessons with teachers, don't hesitate to fully immerse in the language and culture of the country. You will improve much faster, even if, at first, it can seem daunting when you can't put together a whole sentence.
Finally, ask for advice from people who have been living in the country for several years; they will be of great help in your learning. Do not get discouraged and be rigorous; the result will pay off in the end!
