Why The Closest Language To English May Surprise You?
Closet language to English
The most common question people ask about languages is, Which one is the closest to English? It’s an understandable question, but the answer may surprise you. Sure, Spanish has similar spelling rules and conjugation patterns to English, but they’re still different languages with completely unique vocabularies and grammar structures!
So why do so many people assume Spanish will be their easiest language to learn? As it turns out, it depends on which type of learner you are.
What makes languages similar?
One of the things that can make languages similar is a shared history. For example, English and Frisian languages both have roots in older Germanic languages. They also both experienced similar developments in their histories; for instance, both underwent standardization in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Additionally, they are both Indo-European languages, which is the largest language family in the world. Frisian is the closest relative to English among all West Germanic languages spoken on mainland Europe. It shares more features with Old English than Dutch does with Old Dutch
In countries where English has become an official language, people who speak regional dialects of English may be discouraged from using them in education or other situations where Standard American or British forms are preferred.
Even though native speakers of these dialects might not use the old-fashioned words and pronunciations anymore, they still exist as living parts of their cultures. While those who would rather avoid regional variation might appreciate having one form of English as the medium of instruction, those who value diversity may find this approach frustrating.
Germanic language in English
The Germanic language closest to English is actually Dutch, not German. This is because, in the days of yore, English and Dutch were both primary languages in northern Europe.
German only became a distinct language after it was designated as a medium of instruction in schools. Today, there are still many similarities between English and Dutch, especially in their written forms.
Modern-day speakers may be surprised by how much Dutch looks like English. This is because they share many common words. Some modern-day sources list though as one word, whereas other sources list it as two separate words—through and thought—and we can see how words can change over time!
How else do you think that German and Dutch developed differently from English? What other primary language in England did they have? Do you think that your country has dialects from other primary languages?
There’s more than just English and Spanish in America, for example. In countries such as France or Germany where French or German isn’t natively spoken but becomes a medium of instruction for children at school, changes occur within the language (such as what happened with German).
Different pronunciations arise among different parts of the population, differences in vocabulary emerge through generations since people are exposed to different influences (e.g., artworks), and many languages evolve into new ones entirely.
What learning another language gives you?
Whether you’re looking to expand your career opportunities or simply wanting to engage with people from other cultures, learning another language can offer a lot of benefits.
For instance, did you know that English is actually a Germanic language? That’s right – English is closely related to German, Dutch, and even Afrikaans. In fact, English was primarily spoken in the north of England until the 16th century when it began to spread to other parts of the country.
So if you’re looking for a language that’s close to English, you might want to consider one of the Frisian languages spoken in Germany or Holland. Or, if you’re interested in learning about different dialects of English, there are plenty of northern dialects that are quite similar to what we speak today.
These regional dialects include Yorkshire, Lancashire, and East Anglia. However, the southern dialects may be more difficult to understand since they developed after our original Germanic roots had changed significantly over time due to contact with Norman French invaders during the 11th century.
The differences between some common languages
If you’re a native English speaker, you might be surprised to learn that the closest language to English is actually Dutch. Both languages are part of the Indo-European language family, and they share a lot of common features.
For example, both languages have 16th and 17th century roots, and they both use similar northern dialects. Plus, they each developed out of Indo-European languages that were spoken in Europe during ancient times. Know about Linguistic families of eastern families.
The two different varieties of Spanish also seem like close cousins when compared with English. While one form is typically spoken in Spain and the other in Mexico or Central America, both versions of Spanish developed from Latin – a tongue closely related to ancient Greek – which means that there are many shared similarities between all three tongues over time.
In some ways German can seem closer to English than Swedish, because it shares more vocabulary with it than with Swedish (although not so much grammar). The official national language of Sweden was replaced by Danish around 1400 AD and what we know as modern Swedish has its origins from Finland.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dutch is often considered the closest language to English. This is because, like English, it is a West Germanic language. Additionally, both languages share a lot of vocabulary and have similar grammar rules.
No, English was not formed from Spanish. While there are many similarities between the two languages, they have different roots. English is a Germanic language, while Spanish is a Romance language.
It’s not French or Spanish, but rather African. The language of government in African countries is actually closer to standard forms of English than any other dialect. So if you’re looking for a language that’s close to English, Africa is the place to start.
Yes, besides Scots, other Germanic languages such as Dutch and Frisian also have close ties to English. Dutch shares many similarities in vocabulary and structure, while Frisian is the closest relative to English within the West Germanic language group.
Many people might expect languages like German or French to be closer to English due to their prominence and influence. However, the historical and linguistic ties between English and Scots reveal a more direct relationship, which can be surprising to those unfamiliar with the historical development of English.