Hierarchy of difficulty in language learning

 I have been studying Japanese with Duolingo in English lately. I learned some Japanese in high school, but I forgot most of it.  Learning Japanese this way is a whole different ball game from the days when I could lean on my Korean background. You see, Japanese and Korean are like distant cousins; they share enough family traits to make you think, "Hey, I've seen this before!" But when you're approaching Japanese with an English mindset, things get a tad more interesting.

For example, look at this Japanese sentence: カメラが ほしいです。It means "I want a camera" in English and "카메라를 사고 싶어요" in Korean. But Koreans can also say "카메라가 사고 싶어요".

Both Korean and Japanese can drop the subject of the sentence. It is also interesting that both が  and 가 can be used as a subject marker or an object marker. I think I could learn Japanese grammar structure easily through Korean with lots of "Aha" moments. But when I saw the sentence カメラが ほしいです recently through the lens of English, I felt like "huh?"

Learning Japanese through English made me pause and think, "Huh, that's odd". It's like your brain has to do a little dance every time you try to fit what you're learning into what you already know. And here's where Clifford Prator's Hierarchy of Difficulty waltzes in. It's a neat way to understand why we scratch our heads when learning new languages. This hierarchy shows us that the more a new language feels like home, the easier it is to pick up. But when it starts redecorating your linguistic living room with new furniture, that's when the fun begins.

• Level 0 (Transfer): When there are no differences between the native language and the target language, learning is easy. It's like moving into a house that's already set up just like your old place. Easy peasy.
• Level 1 (Coalescence): When two or more features in the native language are merged into one in the target language, learning becomes slightly more difficult. Imagine merging your kitchen and living room into a cool open-plan space. A bit new, but you love it.
• Level 2 (Under-differentiation): When two or more features in the target language are merged into one in the native language, learning becomes more difficult. Here's where your two comfy chairs become one super chair. You're intrigued but slightly confused.
• Level 3 (Reinterpretation): When a feature in the target language is interpreted as a different feature in the native language, learning becomes even more difficult. That painting you thought was a dog? It's actually a cat. Time to adjust your eyes.
• Level 4 (Over-differentiation): When a feature in the native language is interpreted as multiple features in the target language, learning becomes very difficult. Suddenly, your one plant turns into a jungle. It's overwhelming but exciting.
• Level 5 (Split): When a feature in the target language is split into multiple features in the native language, learning is most difficult. And finally, your cozy blanket is now a tapestry and a rug. It's the most challenging, but hey, who doesn't love a good puzzle?

So, what's the takeaway from our little chat? Whether you're coming at Japanese with a background in English, Korean, or any other language, the journey's going to be filled with "aha!" moments and perhaps a few "huh?" ones too. But that's the beauty of it. Every new phrase, character, and grammatical quirk you unravel is a step closer to becoming the polyglot you've always dreamed of being.

Remember, language learning is not just about memorizing words; it's about connecting with a culture, understanding a new way of thinking, and, most importantly, having fun along the way. So, let's keep our spirits high and our learning apps open as we embark on this delightful journey together.