Are some languages (foreign) easier to learn than others once one reaches middle-age?

Question

Realise once a person reaches a certain age, they will find it difficult to pick up on a language that would have been easier 30-50 years ago, but are there any languages that would be just as 'easier' to learn no matter one age one is?

Answer 1

I learned French 11-18, German at 17, Spanish 21 and  learned Italian with Wife2 a 36.  I am learning Arabic and Persian.  It all comes down to 'Sitzfleisch'!!  

Answer 2

Probably, can't think of one though.

Answer 3

german;

the words are mostly said the same way that they are spelt, and many of the words are similar to english, although the grammer can be confusing.

Answer 4

The younger you are, the easier it is to learn and master a language, any language. As you get older, parts of your body stiffen up and you can't vibrate your vocal cords fast enough. Just like it's easier to bend your body when you are young, but as you get older, your bones, cartilage and joints, not to mention veins & arteries stiffen up, so you won't be as agile.  

Answer 5

In particular no, though at any age you'll make quicker progress in a language which is closely related to your own. Eg. French, Spanish, German, Dutch... (Rather than say Hungarian or Japanese.)

To be honest, the easiest language to learn will always be the one you're most interested in. ;-)

Best of luck to you.

Answer 6

Punjabi and Hindi are easy languages but you have to like say the alphabet like every day...

Spanish would be a better choice though ....

Because you don't have to memorize a whole new different alphabet...

Answer 7

Yes it does become harder with age, because i am 16, my parents are over 45. I can learn a language faster than they can, and i speak English faster. I also make my own languages. So the easiest language, which is least popular, that you could learn would be Scots. It was directly taken out of Middle English and is the closest language to English. as an example: Scots: The Scots Leid Associe wis foondit in 1972 an ettles tae fordle Scots in leeteratur, drama, the media, eddication an in ilka day uiss. Akis Scots wis ance the state langage o Scotland, it's a vailid pairt o wir heirskip an the associe taks tent tae the fact that it shoud can tak its steid as a langage o Scotland, alang wi Gaelic an Inglis. English: The Scots Language Society was founded in 1972 and exists to promote Scots in literature, drama, the media, education and in every day usage. Since Scots was once the state language of Scotland, it is a valid part of our heritage and the society recognises that it should be able to take its place as a language of Scotland, along with Gaelic and English.  

Answer 8

1) Easier vs harder is not the matter when you want to relate language learning to the age. However, there is a hypothesis called CPH (Critical Period Hypothesis) which says: there is a period in a person's life (from birth to puberty, say, 12-14) when he/she can learn any language completely and fluently. After that period, language learning will be slower and harder.

2) Learning some languages are easier, however, when that language belongs to the same language family as your native language (no relation to how old you are).

3) After middle ages (40s-50s) some general abilities of learning are lost because of the increasing death of the brain cells. So, language learning  (no matter what language/s) will be more difficult for the old people.

Answer 9

it all depends on where your talents lie. The british army language training starts with memorising a list of words from several languages then a test on the words, the ones you get correct indicates the language group you are more attuned to.

It also depends on your motivation, why learn a language you are never going to use? it should have a practical application and enrich you experiences

Answer 10

Spanish is probably one of the easiest languages I've learned. Even a three year old could learn Spanish within a year.