I’d argue though that it’s ultimately similar levels of complexity. Because sure in romance languages you need to know (and probably just “get” what gender objects are. But in English you need to remember/just “get” which words have “i before e” (because the “rule” is utter trash), and all the inconsistent pronunciation of similarly spelt words.
Most European languages with accented vowels (and some with accented other letters too) have a pretty consistent pronunciation (when the accented letters are used).
English speakers have to just memorize that spelling bullshit and we get it wrong constantly.
But the real kicker is the Order of Adjectives. This doesn’t help with understanding and the meaning in unchanged but no one actually knows the time without being told it exists. But we all follow it and know when it’s broken. It makes sentences just feel wrong.
I’d argue though that it’s ultimately similar levels of complexity. Because sure in romance languages you need to know (and probably just “get” what gender objects are. But in English you need to remember/just “get” which words have “i before e” (because the “rule” is utter trash), and all the inconsistent pronunciation of similarly spelt words.
Most European languages with accented vowels (and some with accented other letters too) have a pretty consistent pronunciation (when the accented letters are used).
English speakers have to just memorize that spelling bullshit and we get it wrong constantly.
But the real kicker is the Order of Adjectives. This doesn’t help with understanding and the meaning in unchanged but no one actually knows the time without being told it exists. But we all follow it and know when it’s broken. It makes sentences just feel wrong.
The order of adjectives are really not set rules. It is merely convention.
A much better example is the use of propositions. For example look up, look on, look out, and look into all mean completely different things.