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Why Is It So Difficult To Learn German As A Second Language?

German is known to be one of the most challenging languages to learn. Many different specifications make the language so complex. Rich in lexicon, the German language is a growing body of words. Knowing that you will be embarking on a never-ending combination of words and nouns, we commend you on your bravery to pursue German as a second language. Here are even more reasons why learning German as a second language will be challenging. 

Difference in Form 

It is one thing to learn to speak German and a very different thing to learn to write it. You can become proficient at grammar, sentence structure, and gender descriptions, but you will always be learning. There are different rules for formal and informal writing, and the distinctions are so severe that the spoken language has its own name. You can also take help from a professional translation company like offshoreally.com to have a proper understanding of German language.

Mannerisms and Online German teachers on preply

Verbal mannerisms hallmark the German language. They add tonality and feeling to what is said. By themselves, the words hold no meaning. Like a scoff to indicate sarcasm, disgust, etc., in English, these kinds of sounds evoke emotion based on context. Germans use words like mal, halt, doch, to add emotion to what is said. Without context, they mean nothing. To find authentic German tutors, visit this site and search for Online German teachers on Preply. 

Pronunciation is Complex

There are hundreds of pronunciation differences in this immensely challenging language. Many tend to overlap, and because of these similarities, nonnative speakers are easily confused. For instance, ch and sch are often mixed up for one another, despite having a different meaning. There are more than five vowels in German, so if you are coming from a background of English or Spanish, you are in for a very long road of studying. Keeping up with the vowels is by itself a volume of work.

The Grammar is Inflexible

In English, grammar is flexible. The most straightforward example of this is a nonnative speaker trying to speak English fluently. We can make out what they are saying even when they are speaking with incorrect grammar. This ability to extract what is being said is not possible in German. The rules are the rules, and if you don’t follow them, no one will understand what you say.

No Duration Form 

In English, we don’t have any strict rules on whether or not to say “do” vs. “doing. So long as we put these words correctly in a sentence, there is no issue with comprehension. Germany eliminates the duration form and feels that in doing so, the simplicity of the information is conveyed more accurately. If you are not used to saying things so legitimately, this will be a challenge as well. 

Learning to speak German is so challenging because it is so different from so many other languages. You will have to orient yourself to an entirely new way of understanding words. Is it impossible? No, but it isn’t easy.

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