The difficulty of learning English Language.... US versus English
By tjades
@tjades (3591)
Jamaica
January 22, 2009 10:26pm CST
As far back as I can remember people have complained endlessly about how difficult english is. The language makes rules that it ends up breaking.
Take for example the rule that 'i' comes before 'e' except after 'c' and then comes words such as
*weight
*seize
*conscience
*vein
*beige
and the list could go on and on.
Another factor which adds greatly to the difficulty of learning the language is the English versus the American spelling.
US ENG
program programme
color colour
center centre
and I am sure you can come up with many more examples.
Did you or do you have a difficulty learning engish language? Do you find that your child or siblings have the same complaints?
I had teachers who were adamant that they only wanted the English way of spelling while others did not mind the American way. Even here on mylot the evidence of these mixed spellings are evident.
A colleague of mine would say that the language is so contrary it cannot even agree with itself. 
Do you or did you find English Language as a difficult subject?
I am not an A student mainly because I do not work hard at it but I do not have much difficulty with the subject. I am way too comfy at the B status.
Do you or did you find English Language as a difficult subject?
I am not an A student mainly because I do not work hard at it but I do not have much difficulty with the subject. I am way too comfy at the B status.1 person likes this
11 responses
@jeanniemay (1798)
• Philippines
23 Jan 09
Hi Tjades,
In my country, we were trained from childhood to speak English. As I grew older and learning from the vast linguistic diversions, I came to understand that speaking in English is not as comfortable as I used to when I talk to different nationalities. English is full of variety and it got me confused. LOL.
Anyway, its what learning is for, lets continue challenging ourselves and learn from each other because it maybe English or American English - - what matters is we are able to send the message we need to relay.
Cheers!
JNY
@loveyevi (513)
• United States
23 Jan 09
Any english teacher I have ever had has wanted the American spelling of any word which makes sense considering we are in America. If I was in England I would use the English spelling, lol.
I came to America when I was five and it was really easy for me to pick up the language. My parents however had great difficulty learning it. They are very proficient at this point, but it could be better. It was much more difficult for them to learn English, because of there age, then it was for me. Also helped that I had not learned the language of my country fully before coming here and learning a new one.
@djemba (767)
• India
23 Jan 09
I am very comfortable writing and speaking all forms of English but i still mix up English and American forms of words sometimes..i just can't help it..English as a subject has always treated me very well..always gave me a score i didn't expect(i mean better than what i expected)..
@ilgattofelice99 (192)
• Chile
23 Jan 09
Well I think it´s made a lot easier by the vast amount of resources currently available to learn English. There are a lot more exceptions in English than some other languages, it helps massively if you are living in a country where the language is spoken and you get to practice every day. I tried for ages to learn another language but found myself unable until I moved to another country where Spanish was spoken and I picked it up so quickly, a lot quicker than I could have had I been studying in my own country.
@hahaha9311 (48)
•
23 Jan 09
English born and proud =D
I find the language easy, but some times, due to HTML, I spell words like colour in American, which takes some getting used to outside of HTML.
If you think about it, English may be hard, but try Mandarin Chinese or French where the same word, said differently can mean something completely different. A prime example in German would be nacht, it can mean night if said softly and naked if said harshly. Languages are wierd but the teenage one is the best:
*One grunt for food;
*Two grunts for money;
*Three grunts to go out;
*Four grunts for money to go out with and buy food with.
Simple xD
1 person likes this
@analynaquino (35)
• Philippines
23 Jan 09
English Language is actually quite difficult especially that we have our own language, but I believe that English versus american spelling are acceptable now in English Language, as far as I am concern there are lots of words that are considered from American Spelling , such as color -colour, it is now acceptable in english Language....But One thing that we are having difficult times in using English Language because we are not use to speak and use it, even in our home or talking with other people, we usually use our own language..
1 person likes this
@jwfarrimond (4473)
•
23 Jan 09
As a native speaker of English, I am actually English of probable Saxon ancestry so it really is my native language. It's very interesting to see the comments of other people about the language. I only want to say that as far as communication is concerned, I don't think that it really matters to much if you are not 100% correct. Indeed, there are many native speakers who can't speak, read or write English properly. So unless you need to use the language in an academic or business environment, 100% accuracy is not a requirement in order to be understood.
It's very interesting to see the comments of other people about the language. I only want to say that as far as communication is concerned, I don't think that it really matters to much if you are not 100% correct. Indeed, there are many native speakers who can't speak, read or write English properly. So unless you need to use the language in an academic or business environment, 100% accuracy is not a requirement in order to be understood. 1 person likes this
@magicalmerlin (1623)
•
24 Jan 09
Thank you. You had some great replies to an interesting discussion. I think that vocabulary makes it difficult with a new language. You don't know enough words to express yourself but can't find out which word to use as you only know it in your own language. This is overcome with many new technologies as different languages call them the same thing like le weekend or le video.
I finding dating confusing with the difference between American and English - where month or day goes first.
@tjades (3591)
• Jamaica
24 Jan 09
I had difficulty with the dating thing too.
English is the first language of my country but it is influenced by the American and English language pattern as well as the Jamaican dialect (patois...pronounced...patwa). The Jamaican dialect is so strong that we now have what is known as the Standard Jamaican English.
These influences no doubt play a part in the difficulty many Jamaicans face when learning the language. The complaints here are many as many of our students consider the subject to be confusing.
Thanks for sharing magical. @bing28 (3795)
• Philippines
24 Jan 09
English subject is quite easy for us. When my children were at the primary I was their English tutor but now that they're grown ups, we confront each other in case of doubts in correct usage, grammar or spelling. My daughter is a high school teacher, an English major so at home she is our consultant. I observed the u.s. English too, anyway we can adjust to their spellings and pronounciation. I stick to my own knowledge of correct usage however if there are other English learnings we have to adopt I deeply consider and appreciates.
@tjades (3591)
• Jamaica
24 Jan 09
Compromise is the order of the day in this gobalized world . The influence of both the American and the English language pattern caused me some anxious moments in spellings/vocabulary class on many occassions.
Both language patterns are accepted here but some teachers were adamant that the english of the English was the correct way. My family does well in this area also. My older sister is an English major.
. The influence of both the American and the English language pattern caused me some anxious moments in spellings/vocabulary class on many occassions.
Both language patterns are accepted here but some teachers were adamant that the english of the English was the correct way. My family does well in this area also. My older sister is an English major. @Rubyvinola (7)
• India
23 Jan 09
The style of Pronounsation is different in US English language.
Induans could not able to understand Esily.In India,they are conduction some courses for English language and test also
