Is Estonian Hard To Learn? The 3 Crazy Truths!

Is Estonian hard to learn? If this is one of the questions that you ask yourself that stops you from wanting to learn the Estonian language, then you might want to read this article! Today, we will debunk the complexities of learning this unique foreign language. Let’s get started!

 

The Estonian Language: Is Estonian Hard To Learn?

Planning to travel to Tallinn? Learning its native language is a must! Fortunately, mastering this language is pretty straightforward. Written using the Latin alphabet and is considered a Finnic-Uralic language, it is a bit safe to say that it is one of the hardest languages to learn, especially for native English speakers.

Although the Estonian language slowly drifted away from the Finnish language, it still is one of the most complex languages one can learn. However, anything is possible with patience, commitment, discipline, and a deep interest in language learning!

Is Estonian Hard To Learn

Keep in mind that the language difficulty of a language will always depend on the work you put in and the time you allot in a day.

With seven dialects scattered in different neighboring regions and it being one of the most complex languages to learn, a native English speaker would still find it exciting and fun to learn. Why? It’s because of the pronunciation of the words, the language family of the Estonian language, and the vocabulary and the words you learn day by day.

Although it is considered the fifth hardest language to learn, according to the Foreign Service Institute, it does not take away the fact that learning Estonian, like all other languages, is an experience.

 

What Makes Learning Estonian Hard?

In this post, we will now be breaking down what makes this foreign language one of the most complicated languages to learn for native English speakers.

Is Estonian Hard To Learn

Truth #1: So Many Case Endings!

What is a case ending, to begin with? It is a suffix used to indicate the grammatical function of a word. Considering this, the Estonian language has 14 case endings, making their grammar a very tricky thing to learn.

Not just that, but these case endings need to be mastered to fully grasp the whole language and build a strong foundation for you when you start to learn about the sentence structures that are in Estonian. These endings are both in singular and plural forms and forms that can help you fully understand the meaning of the sentence and give more context.

This is just a brief background to give you a little insight into what it may look like to learn Estonian. In the next posts, we will be more specific and delve deeper into these case endings.

In no way does this mean to scare you and just stick with the English language, but not being able to master this will make it hard for you to learn Estonian and become native speakers of the language.

Truth #2: Estonian Is A Genderless Language

Yes, you heard it correctly. This language does not have a word to specifically describe a woman or man like the ‘he’ and ‘she’ that we use as English speakers.

For them to describe someone, they use the word ‘ta.’

So cool, right?

Truth #3: A Tricky Vocabulary

Aside from its defined grammar rules and many exceptions that you have to be acquainted with to learn Estonian, it also offers a tricky and tongue-twisting vocabulary.

These overly long words are hard to memorize, speak, and even master. Although it makes language learning a fun challenge and perhaps an entertaining segment that you can have when studying, it becomes a little of a problem as soon as you have to use it to talk to someone. You don’t want to say the wrong thing, right?

Words such as ‘Kuuuurija töööö ööülikoolis’ and ‘Kuulilennuteetunneliluuk’ might just be some of the words that you will come across upon learning the language. It might test an individual’s memory capacity, but it is a huge step in becoming a native speaker of this Finno-Ugric language.

 

Is There A Way To Learn Estonian In An Easy Way?

Of course, there are no shortcuts, especially when learning. But it does not take away the fact that learning one of the hardest languages up to date as a native English speaker can become more manageable when you give yourself patience and time.

To learn Estonian, or even another language, will be a challenge. Knowing the proper language application to use is a must to make it easier. Because of this, not only will it cater to your goals as a language learner, but it will always cater to your needs in language learning.

Knowing the best language learning application to use should definitely be something you should consider from syllable to syllable or even breaking down the same syllable in the sentence or word.

Good thing because you are in for a treat with the Ling App!

 

What Is The Ling App?

Is Estonian Hard To Learn

The Ling App is a language learning app that can help you and your language needs!

The bite-sized and gamified lessons can help you embark on your journey in language learning. It gives you sufficient knowledge and guidance when learning about the language you want to learn.

Not just that, but the Ling App also offers a variety of languages to learn, not just Estonian! Highly effective and convenient, these are just some words that best describe this language learning application.

Check you the Ling App now and learn something new today! With just a few clicks on your phone or desktop and you will be welcomed into a new world of language learning in the easiest way possible. What are you waiting for?

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