So, I was just thinking the other day about how difficult the English language really is. I mean, I get it obviously because I've learned it from birth but when I imagine trying to learn it as a 2nd language... wow, thank goodness I don't have to!
I guess I'm mostly thinking about writing the English language. Some of the things that made me really have respect for ESL people...
* Some words are verbs and nouns.. (building a building)
* There are different spellings of the same sounding word that all mean something completely different (there, their, they're, hear, here, etc.)
* A word like a lot could mean quantity or frequency.. We made a lot of cookies. We go to the store a lot.
It's just mind boggling (if I didn't already know the language). And I've taken about 9 years of English in school and STILL don't get grammar or spelling correct all the time (ask my twin).
Maybe other languages are just as complex... I wouldn't know seeing as I only speak English. So props to all you ESL people out there.
