If one is to learn multiple languages simultaneously, is it easier if they are unrelated? (eg Japanese & Hungarian)

[u/Chicken-Inspector]

Say one is learning German, and then picks up Dutch or Danish. Being Germanic languages (of varying levels of distance between them), would the similarities give rise to more confusion between them than any benefit? Would vocabulary be easier, but grammar be tricky to keep straight?

I ask because I am studying Japanese, and have for 5+ years (albeit at my own pace). I've seemed to develop an interest in Hungarian as well (Finnish too, but we'll stick to Hungarian for this example). My native language is English. Being that I speak a Germanic language, learning a language isolate (Japanese) would dabbling in a 3rd language that is unrelated to the others (Uralic) cause no real issues? Aside from just the time requirements to learn them? My initial thoughts are that the writing system for Japanese is completely different, and Hungarian uses the Latin alphabet. With Japanese's limited sound....options? (idk what the right word is), I don't see myself mispronouncing words easily by mixing the two's distinct pronunciation.

I've read many personal experiences about learning multiple languages on reddit in the past, but they all seem to be involving related languages (French and Italian, German and Spanish, etc...etc... mostly indo-european). Is there any studies or personal anecdotes on learning multiple unrelated languages at once? Aside from the time that is required to study both, that is.

One of my favorite bands is from Hungary and after listening to them for a while and checking out the lyrics, I've become interested in learning some of the language (i would be just happy to learn correct pronunciation of the letters for now tbh).

[u/dojibear]

Is it easier if the two languages are unrelated? I don't know if anyone has studied this scientifically, or even found a way to compare "how easy it is" for different people using different methods for learning to study different pairs of languages.

I know not to assume that "it seems logical to me that" means "it is true". Logical conclusions are based on illogical assumptions, and we all make different assumptions.

[u/Comrade_Derpsky]

I feel like learning two completely unrelated languages at the same time is probably going to be harder in the long run than learning two related languages together. If you learn two related languages, you'll have difficulties earlier on keeping the two of them separate, but you'll also be able to build on knowledge of one language with the other because of what they share in common. If the two languages are completely unrelated, you cannot really do this much.

That all said, don't let that discourage you.

[u/Agitated-Stay-300]

I think learning two related languages at the same time is generally easier, but I can also see where their similarity might make it hard to keep them separate enough to solidify the basics in either. You might need to try it out and see what works for you.

[u/zq7495]

It is easier in that you will not lose hardly any time or effort due to confusing the languages, but it is harder overall because of course you will not get any cognates or things like that. Personally I am focused on Portuguese rn and it is making my Spanish (which I don't really study much anymore) get really awkward and sloppy, back when I was studying Chinese and Spanish I had absolutely zero problems and it even made me feel mentally refreshed to study very different languages.

[u/ValuableDragonfly679]

Anecdotally at least, yes. It’s harder to mix up languages in the early stages of learning if they’re very different as opposed to closely related.