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This is why learning English is quite a steep learning process for second language learners. For example, we know words with "haemo-" indicate blood problems. In German I believe there is only one root word for blood so after you learn it many new vocabularies associated with blood could be master easily (which are just compound words anyway).

And English grammar is about as chaotic as you can imagine - some describe it is akin to the common law legal system. German and even French grammar are much more uniform and you won't hit as many snags as in English. But still, English is the language of communications today so everyone learns it.

65 posted on 03/25/2006 4:03:56 PM PST by NZerFromHK (Leftism is like honey mixed with arsenic: initially it tastes good, but that will end up killing you)

English also has far more words than other languages -- IIRC about 5 times as many as French.

In addition, English is a very idiomatic language. Words change their meaning, depending on no discernible rules. Consider just the way the word "put" can be used. Here's an example: "Peter was put out, that Pauline wouldn't put out; even though he had just put out the garbage -- this also made Peter feel put upon; and he decided he wasn't going to put up with it any more.