How easy are "easy" languages?

Our take

How easy are "easy" languages? This question dances on the edge of linguistic exploration, beckoning us into the world of tongues that defy traditional barriers. Consider Indonesian, often touted for its accessibility; it boasts a straightforward grammar system and a wealth of Western influence that makes it approachable for learners. Similarly, Swahili, with its rich history as a lingua franca, presents a unique blend of simplicity and cultural depth, inviting those who dare to dive into its consonant-vowel structure and extensive vocabulary derived from Arabic, Portuguese, and local languages. Yet, ease is subjective and influenced by one’s linguistic background. What makes these languages "easy" is not merely their rules but the context in which they thrive, echoing the complexities of communication and human connection across diverse cultures. So, what’s your experience with these "easy" languages?

I don't mean closely related languages, but, for example, people say Indonesian is very easy, even thought it is quite different (but still has ton of western influence), but how easy are simple, lingua fraca like languages to learn? swahili is another that comes to mind and has a similar history to malay/indonesian.

Edit: just don't reply anymore if you are going to say something obvious, please. I'm on my fourth language, I KNOW just like I implied on THE VERY FUCKING 1st LINE that the closer to the first language the better, I KNOW EVERY LANGUAGE IS DIFFICULT, specially for you americans that only have to learn half a language to go throught life. I thought I would find at least over 2 digits iq here as a rule, but i guess it's even worse than the average sub. AND FUCKING READ THE POST FOR GODS SAKE

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#language evolution#philosophy of language#humor in language#creative language use#easy languages#language learning#lingua franca#Indonesian#difficulty#language difficulty#Swahili#linguistic proximity#Malay#language acquisition#first language#language comparison#learner experience#western influence#multilingualism#communication