Is it as difficult to learn a third language?

Question

Having only ever been exposed to English previously, I struggled monsterously while trying to learn Italian. Now that I am finally developing a certain profeciency, I am curious... Would it be easier to pick up a third than it was a second?

Answer 1

Perhaps.

Recent research in linguistics has shown that people with stronger verbal analytical ability seem to be able to learn languages to a higher level than others as adults. Verbal analytical ability is the ability to look at language and figure out how it works.

What this means for you is: if your experience learning Italian helped you to develop your verbal analytical ability, it may help you to get to a higher proficiency with your third language.

Answer 2

Learning a second language can be tough. I've always found, though, that learning Spanish and Italian is fairly easy because I know French. Might be because of the similarities in the words. For instance, "love" in French is "amour", in Spanish is "amor" and in Italian is "amore". In German, it would be "Liebe", which is close enough to the English word. Once you understand gender, etc. and the cross-language differences/similarities it may become easier. It's also a matter of *how* you learn. You can only learn at your own pace - whatever speed you feel comfortable with. It's often said that the best way to learn another language is actually living among native-speaking people (not always possible, of course).

Answer 3

It depends on whether the third language is similiar to English or Italian. You can find out by researching linguistics and the history of the third language.
Also, some languages are just harder than others (for most people). For example, in regards to writing, Western European languages use the same alphabet, Eastern European or Scandinavian use diffirent letters but the writing technique is the same; Middle Eastern and Oriental languages use a completely different system.

Answer 4

Well, I'm completely fluent in English, nearly in French (still learning) and started Spanish (still learning!) So, you might say I have a naturall knack for learning languages in the first place... and your motivation, how much time you have to learn, HOW you learn, etc. Interesting question about easier picking up a third than a second lanuage, also... it's tough of course, bit it's like after learning a second one, you get used to learning something new. You... learn how to learn, sort of! ;)

Hope this helped! :)

Answer 5

I speak two fluently, and I'm workable in 3 others. It depends on how motivated you are (scientifically, intelligence has comparatively little to do with it - and you are intelligent so you're all set!)

French, Spanish, and Italian all tie in very closely with one another. I've always said if you can speak any two of those, the third will come naturally, LOL. Good luck :o)

Answer 6

English have big difference with a romance language like italian, but now that you are learning Italian it would be eisier for you to learns another romace language like spanish or french

Answer 7

It's difficult to learn a first language. You're not born talking ya know. If you can speak two or three languages you are very lucky. It will open many doors for you in life.

Answer 8

it depends on what languages you know. i am both fluent in french and english. my third language was spanish, which was close to french, so i didnt find it all that hard. if you already know italian, other languages like spanish, portugese or french, as they are all similar, will make it easier for you to learn.

Answer 9

It depends on how closely related the third language is to the second one.

Answer 10

Once you have a second language under your belt, any other languages that you learn should be easier to learn