Why is pronouncing in another language so difficult?

One thing is sure, pronouncing in another language is somehow a green monster that seems impossible to tame! We get it. That’s why today, we’re diving deeper into this frustrating challenge.

First, let’s put your mind at ease: pronunciation is considered the biggest obstacle in language learning—even more than grammar or writing. In fact, many people who write fluently in another language struggle tremendously with pronunciation. Some even spend years in diction coaching or speech therapy to improve their articulation.

But is pronunciation really that difficult for physical reasons?

As you’ll see, there are organic, psychological, and social factors that make pronunciation in another language so challenging. Today, we’ll explore the most common causes—and share some tips to help you overcome one of the biggest fears in language learning.

Are you ready? Let’s break it down!

Is pronouncing in another language really that important?

You might be expecting an answer like: “No, don’t worry, pronunciation isn’t that important.” Unfortunately, we have to tell you: yes, pronouncing in another language is critical!

It’s so essential that it’s considered a cornerstone of language education. In every language, at every level, in every country, language academies focus on three key areas: 

• Writing and grammar
• Listening comprehension and reading
• Pronunciation and speaking

But why is pronunciation so important? Because of something many languages have in common: homophones.

Homophones in language learning

Homophones are words that sound the same but have different meanings.

Let’s take Spanish as an example:

• “Cazar” (to hunt) vs. “Casar” (to marry)

If pronunciation isn’t clear, these words can sound identical—which could lead to some pretty awkward misunderstandings! The same thing happens in almost every language. In English, for example: 

• “Pool” (swimming pool) vs. “Pull” (to tug)
• “There” (a place) vs. “Dare” (a challenge)

The sounds of “oo” and “ee” are often confused with “u” and “i”, and the “th” sound can sometimes resemble a “d”. In French, Chinese, and Japanese, homophones are even more common and complex. Why do they exist? Even linguists don’t have a clear answer. Their only apparent purpose seems to be… to confuse language learners!

Why do homophones exist in the pronouncing in another language?

There isn’t a single universal explanation for why homophones exist. However, linguists have identified three main theories:

Illiteracy in early societies

One of the earliest theories, proposed by the famous linguist Antonio de Nebrija, suggests that homophones originated from the misuse of language. In the past, most people were illiterate, so they pronounced words based only on how they sounded—without knowing how they were actually spelled. 

• Whether a word was written with “s,” “c,” or “z” didn’t matter.
• The same happened with “j” and “g.”

Over time, these phonetic similarities became part of the language—and homophones were born.

Linguistic “borrowing”

Other experts believe homophones are a natural part of language evolution. Languages are constantly evolving. They borrow words from other dialects and languages, often adopting similar-sounding terms with completely different meanings. This is especially true for modern languages like English, Spanish, and French, which have absorbed countless foreign words throughout history.

Language as an art form

The most romantic theory—and the one we love the most—is that homophones enrich language. They are a powerful literary tool, commonly used in poetry and storytelling.

Two words that are spelled differently but pronounced the same create a fantastic artistic tool. However, for language learners, they are a nightmare—making pronunciation one of the hardest challenges to master. 

But now that we understand the why, let’s explore the solutions!

The most common reasons why pronouncing in another language is so difficult

Before diving into this analysis, it’s crucial to understand that there are NO genetic or racial reasons that prevent proper pronunciation. We emphasize this point because it’s one of the biggest myths in linguistics. 

For years, people have been led to believe that certain ethnic groups are physically incapable of pronouncing certain languages correctly. This is completely false.

Now that we’ve cleared that up, let’s explore the real reasons why your tongue seems unwilling to cooperate when speaking another language. Some of them might surprise you! But the most surprising thing of all? Your biggest obstacle to good pronunciation is… you!

Let’s take a closer look.

Muscle memory

Your body itself might hold the key to why pronunciation in another language feels so difficult. More specifically, it’s related to how you use your vocal structures in your native language.

From the moment we start speaking—usually around our first year of life—we become accustomed to a set of familiar sounds. We learn by imitation, reproducing certain sounds that eventually form words.

As we grow, our oropharyngeal and oral structures adapt to producing these familiar sounds. Simply put, your tongue, nose, lips, and throat shape your vocal cords to produce the phonemes of your native language.

That’s why some people find it easier to pronounce certain sounds. For example:

• Speakers of Romance and Slavic languages tend to handle guttural sounds like “r” and “j” more easily.
• Speakers of other language families may find it easier to produce labiodental sounds like “th” or “z.”

Over time, your vocal organs develop what’s called “muscle memory,” meaning they naturally adapt to producing sounds typical of your first language. This is why certain pronunciations feel unnatural or even physically difficult when learning a new language.

Self-consciousness and fear of judgment

This is another major factor behind poor pronunciation. Many people feel embarrassed or even ridiculous when trying to speak another language. They feel out of place, as if they’re pretending to be someone they’re not.

Some even describe a deep discomfort—as if speaking in a different way makes them feel like a different person. This phenomenon is particularly common among adults learning a second language, a reaction known in psychology as gelotophobia or the “Pinocchio Syndrome.” 

• Adults tend to fear making mistakes and being laughed at.
• Children, on the other hand, don’t experience this fear as strongly—which is why they usually develop better pronunciation when learning early.

Moreover, the fear of mispronouncing words can create a psychological barrier that holds you back from fully engaging with the language. The result? You avoid speaking, practice less, and struggle more with pronunciation.

Lack of immersion

One of the most common reasons for poor pronunciation is a lack of exposure to native sounds. This is especially frequent among students in overly academic environments or those learning in low-quality language academies. Here’s why:

1. If your teacher isn’t fluent in the language, they might not correct your pronunciation mistakes.
2. They may hear the word as it sounds in their own language, meaning they don’t even notice the error.
3. Over time, both the student and teacher reinforce incorrect pronunciation.

This becomes a serious problem when you actually have to speak the language with native speakers. You’ll pronounce words the way you learned them, but others may struggle to understand you. This is why choosing the right language academy is essential.

Additionally, although it’s not a strict rule, self-taught learners often struggle with pronunciation because they lack real interaction with native speakers.

The key takeaway? If you struggle with pronunciation, it’s not because you’re incapable—it’s because of habits, fears, and a lack of exposure.

The good news? These barriers can be broken! 

Ready to take your pronunciation to the next level? Let’s make it happen!

How to improve my pronouncing in another language?

Learning to pronounce a new language isn’t easy or fast. But don’t be discouraged—it’s absolutely possible.

Of course, there will always be certain sounds that feel extremely difficult to master, and you may never perfect them 100%. However, with the right techniques and consistent practice, you can significantly improve your pronunciation.

Let’s take a look at some effective exercises to help you sound more natural when speaking another language.

“Loosen your tongue” – A key diction exercise

When we say “loosen your tongue,” we mean it literally, not metaphorically. In other words, you need to train your speech organs to become more flexible and override their muscle memory.

Each language has key phonemes that require specific tongue and mouth movements. For example, in Spanish and French, mastering the rolled “R” sound is essential.

To improve this, you must train your palatal and guttural articulation. A great way to do this is through rhotacism exercises, which help you position your tongue correctly to produce the desired sound. There are plenty of free tutorials online that can guide you step by step.

But the “R” sound isn’t the only challenge. Many languages contain sounds that don’t exist in your native language, making them feel unnatural at first.

The only solution? Practice, practice, and more practice until your vocal organs adjust to the new sounds.

“The imitation game” – Mimic without shame

You probably don’t remember, but as a baby, you learned to speak by imitating your parents and older siblings. Babies mimic sounds like parrots, even before they understand their meaning. If you observe an infant, you’ll notice that they start babbling meaningless sounds long before forming real words.

This early-stage imitation is crucial because it prepares the brain to associate sounds with words. How does this apply to pronunciation?

If you can’t travel to a country where your target language is spoken, expose yourself to it in other ways: 

• Listen to music
• Watch movies and TV shows
• Surround yourself with the sounds of the language

Try to imitate the native pronunciation as closely as possible and repeat it over and over again. At first, it may feel awkward, but if you stick with it, you’ll soon start pronouncing words more naturally and effortlessly.

Don’t confuse accent with pronunciation

This is a common mistake. Many people try to imitate an accent as part of improving their pronunciation. While some people can do this exceptionally well, for most learners, it’s extremely difficult—and unnecessary! 

It’s perfectly okay to have an accent when speaking a second language!

In fact, even world-famous celebrities have noticeable accents when speaking English as a second language. Take Arnold Schwarzenegger or Sofía Vergara—both have built successful careers in Hollywood without losing their accents.

What truly matters is clarity—as long as people can understand you, your accent isn’t a problem.

Even within your own country, people from different regions speak with different accents. This also happens across countries that share the same language. Accents are a natural part of speech, so don’t let them discourage you.

Use personalized tech tools to improve your pronouncing in another language

Last but not least, take advantage of technology. There are tons of apps designed to help you improve pronunciation easily.

• Translation apps like Talkao Translate allow you to practice and perfect pronunciation in over 125 languages.
• They also offer reverse translation, so you can check if your pronunciation is accurate.
• With the Talkao Dictionary, you can learn synonyms, antonyms, and homophones—helping you refine your understanding of different words and their correct pronunciation.

As you can see, pronouncing in another language is a journey, and you’ll face challenges along the way. The key is persistence—don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Have fun with the process—the more you enjoy learning, the better you’ll become.

Ready to take your pronunciation skills to the next level? 

Start today, and you’ll be amazed at your progress! 

Published Sat, 15 February 2025