* Your native language: A language that's far from your native tongue will likely be more challenging.
* Your learning style: Some languages rely heavily on grammar rules, while others focus more on tones or pronunciation.
* Your motivation and exposure: Dedication and consistent practice make a huge difference.
Languages often considered difficult for English speakers:
* Mandarin Chinese: The tonal system and complex writing system pose challenges.
* Arabic: Right-to-left script, vowel sounds, and grammatical structures are different.
* Hungarian: Extensive vowel harmony and unique grammar rules.
* Finnish: Complex grammar and vowel harmony.
* Japanese: Three writing systems (hiragana, katakana, and kanji) and a different grammatical structure.
* Korean: Complex alphabet and grammar, plus honorifics.
* Icelandic: Extensive grammar and vocabulary unique to Icelandic.
* Basque: No linguistic relation to any other language, making it completely new and challenging.
Important Note: It's a misconception to label a language as inherently "difficult" or "easy." Every language has its own beauty and complexity, and learning any language is a rewarding journey. Focus on the language that interests you and enjoy the process!