Some languages, like French, are often seen as soft and melodic. German, on the other hand, has a reputation for sounding unusually harsh. But is that all just a cliche rooted in Nazi-era tropes, or is there actually something hard about language itself?

Author Andrea Weller-Essers attributes German's reputation for harshness to its heavy use of consonants and glottal stops. Non-speakers frequently misinterpret these sounds, finding them argumentative, or even angry-sounding.

On the other hand, German is considered a remarkably clear language, depending on cadence and context. And if you strike the right tone, it even makes for pleasant listening.