Here's why:
* Different alphabet: Russian uses the Cyrillic alphabet, which is completely different from the Latin alphabet used in English.
* Complex grammar: Russian has a complex grammatical system with cases (like how English uses "I," "me," and "my"), verb conjugations, and gendered nouns.
* Pronunciation: While the pronunciation system is relatively phonetic, it can be challenging to master sounds that don't exist in English, like the "r" sound.
* Vocabulary: While many words are cognates with English (words with shared roots), Russian has many unique vocabulary items and idiomatic expressions.
However, the difficulty of learning any language varies depending on several factors:
* Your native language: Speakers of Slavic languages, such as Polish or Ukrainian, might find Russian easier to learn due to shared linguistic roots.
* Your learning style and motivation: If you are dedicated and enjoy learning new languages, you can overcome the challenges of learning Russian.
* Your previous language learning experience: Having studied other languages can help you adapt to the learning process of Russian.
Overall, while Russian is a challenging language for English speakers, it's not impossible to learn! With consistent effort and the right approach, you can reach fluency.