Which language should I learn: Korean, Chinese, or Japanese?
Thinking about learning an East Asian language and don’t know which language to go for? this article will help you to make the decision.
Selecting the language by making sure to pick the easiest language is really the hardest part is learning the language At this point you do not have a strong plan in learning any new language. As the English language has been considered a common language for all people across the world and learning a single language is only not enough to work in all sectors. Deciding on the language is an important factor that depends on what your plans are for the future.
Check out these factors to consider before choosing Korean, Chinese, or Japanese
Report study
According to the report, Japanese is the most difficult language for native English speakers to learn. This study is based on English native speakers and your native language may definitely influence how you learn Asian languages.
Alphabets
Korean and Japanese are considered at the top of the “most difficult” level, where the Japanese language has just a small edge on the Korean language with the use of its alphabetic structures and the use of Kanji. Japanese Alphabet is pretty much on a par having the Kanji and 2 different alphabets kind of makes it easier.
Different but similar in grammar
Chinese, Japanese, and Korean are all completely different languages. Their scripts are entirely different from each other and any other language uses the Roman alphabet. These three languages share some similar vocabulary items, similar grammar, and similar sounds.
Word sharing
Korean and Japanese are mutually unintelligible, that have similar features in things such as general structure, vowel, lack of conjunctions, and the frequent and use of speech. The Korean language borrows a lot of words from Chinese and the Japanese Kanji are also taken from Chinese, about 10% of basic nouns in Korean, come from Chinese. So you’ll find it easy if you already know some Chinese language.
English speakers
If you speak English you already know a bunch of words in the Korean language. Korean at the first may appear scary, but it is not always as bad as it may seem. So if you are a native English speaker then it is easy when you choose the Korean language.
Oldest language
The Chinese language is broken down into Old Chinese, Middle Chinese, and Contemporary Chinese. It has more than 3,000 years of history which has not developed and changed much. If you wish to learn one of the oldest languages then you can choose the Chinese language to learn.
All the language learning Chinese, Korean or Japanese have challenges of their own.
Learning any Asian language will definitely benefit you in one or another way for your career and provide you with many amazing opportunities. Select any language that brings you one step closer to your personal and reach your fluency faster than others. In reality, each of these East Asian languages, has many similarities hidden behind the different scripts. Decide your language and reach your goal. Some of the platforms like Multibhashi offer online classes that allow you to learn Chinese or Korean or Japanese from anywhere in the world. Join now. All the best!!