I have some questions for those who speak English as a second language:

• What elements of the English language (spelling, vocabulary, tenses, conjugation, contractions, et cetera) do you find simple and easy to learn compared to your native tongue?  Which elements do you find more difficult?
• Do you find that English is more difficult to speak than to read and write, or vice versa?
• Lastly, what does English sound like?  What I mean is, before you could comprehend the language fully, how would you have described it when spoken?  Is it a harsh sounding language? What other languages do you think it sounds similar to (for instance, I sometimes have trouble distinguishing between spoken Spanish and Italian)?

Hiya YC,
It sure feels good that a native shows interest in how we perceive english... Let me try to understand the best I can...

1. Specific elements of language posing problem :
   I'm comfortable with tenses and conjugation. I find myself sometimes troubled with vocabulary and spelling ; whenever the word is close to one in my mother tongue with a different meaning or spelling (faux-ami).
   A main difference I've found compared to my native language is the extensive use of phrasal verbs. It took me some time to start thinking in terms of phrasal verbs rather than trying to find a corresponding latin-derived verb that often exists but makes you sound a little bit 'off-key' if not pretentious.
2. Written vs spoken english :
   I definitely find spoken english more difficult. Too much difference b/w the various accents (US vs UK, even within UK or within US. Also I have difficulties with relaxed speech forms of spoken english (contractions, elisions and so forth...).
   Pronunciation and stressing the right syllable of the word is another thing I'm still struggling with : it's kind of frustrating when you know the word and how to spell it but still nobody understands you because you don't emphasize the right syllable.
3. How english sounds :
   To my ear, it does not sound like or compare to anything else. Or I should say it's hard to remember my early stages in learning english where it may have sounded weird or where I may have mistaken it for something else. Definitely not a harsh language. I'd say 'mellow' is what comes to my mind. Also 'efficient' (or is it 'effective') as I find it a powerful tool to express thoughts in a concise way.

Hope this answers the questions from your survey.
Waïti.

Francesca wrote:

Why do you have trouble distinguishing between spoken Spanish and Italian? In Italy we say: if you want to speak Spanish you only have to put the "s" to the words end! ......naturally I'm joking Ciao!

Have you ever visited Andalucía???

Andalucía is in Spain and ''the Andaluces'' don´t spell the 's' in the worlds end.

I know because I´m 'andaluza'

Utena wrote:

Have you ever visited Andalucía??? Andalucía is in Spain and ''the Andaluces'' don´t spell the 's' in the worlds end. I know because I´m 'andaluza'

Hi Utena, sorry but I never visited Andalucía but I would like to do it!

Unfortunately I don't speak Spanish but I love this language and I would like to learn it, but I don't have time to do it.

Ciao!

i think english isn't a language so difficult !!! even conjugations !!! my problem is just that i never remember vocabulary !!! as i study several languages, sometimes i think a word in spanish, or in italian, instead of in english !!! i think it's because, out of school, i don't practise english !!! but in general, it isn't so difficult ! compared to french language, english grammar and conjugation are easier !!

another problem that i have with english is sometimes, when someone speak too fats, i don't understand all the words, so i'm a bit lost !! but to speak, or to read, or to write, english language is easier !!!