* Your native language: Languages with similar sounds, grammar, and vocabulary will feel easier to learn.
* Your learning style: Some people learn by hearing, others by reading, and some by writing. Different languages cater to different learning styles.
* Your motivation and dedication: The more motivated you are, the easier it will be to overcome challenges.
Here's why some people might find Malayalam challenging:
* Unique script: Malayalam uses a script unique to South India, different from Devanagari or other scripts used in Asia.
* Complex grammar: Malayalam has a rich grammatical structure with verb conjugations, noun cases, and other intricacies.
* Extensive vocabulary: While there are cognates with Sanskrit, Malayalam has a rich vocabulary with its own unique terms and nuances.
However, other languages in Asia can be equally challenging, like:
* Mandarin Chinese: Complex tones, characters, and grammar.
* Japanese: Three writing systems, complex grammar, and honorifics.
* Korean: Difficult pronunciation, unique grammar, and a different writing system.
Ultimately, the "toughness" of a language is subjective. It's more about your own personal learning journey and how much effort you're willing to put in.