Encyclopedia of Opinion
Question
Is there a language that is most difficult to learn?
Position1 of 2

No, all languages are complex, and linguistic complexity is relative

Linguistic complexity is difficult to define and measure, yet all languages are complex in their own way. There is no language that is objectively the hardest to learn. The ease of learning a second language just depends on one’s first language. An alien coming to Earth could pick any two languages and have an equally difficult time mastering them.

Supporting arguments · 2

  1. Language complexity is relative
    Another language’s learning difficulty is only relative to a speaker’s first language(s).
  2. All languages are equally complex
    The Equal Complexity Hypothesis proposes that all languages are equally complex in their own way--whether in phonetics (pronunciation) or syntax (grammar). A language can be simpler in one factor but is complex in another.