Why does coding take so long to learn

Question

Technically, it would be the same as learning another language but why does it take so much longer?

Answer 1

Are you comparing learning programming to learning your native language?
If so, keep in mind, when you're young, you LIVE your language (hear, think, talk, read, see, and so on) everyday. You still aren't quite fluent until you're like 7 years old - and even then, you need to work on your writing, grammar and syntax.

Have you spent 7x365 days learning programming?

Answer 2

To be honest, I found learning a "programming language", "scripting language" or "markup language" is much easier than learning a second "speaking language".
If you are truly an American, learning a "programming language" is relatively easy as the line of thinking is similar to English.

If you're still thinking learning a second "speaking language" is easier than a "programming language", then I can tell you from my own experience, learning a second "speaking language" is a lot harder.

Cantonese (a dialect of Chinese) is my primary language, and it is considered harder than Mandarin, yet I never fluent in Mandarin (both in listening and speaking). English and Japanese are other languages I know. I worked for Japanese companies over a decade, yet I'm not truly master the grammar, given I had to read and write email in Japanese all the time.

Compare with "programming language", C / C++ / Java are very similar, and Python almost like a natural language.
Grab a Python book, read it slowly and do the exercises (if available). You will know how to code with Python without realize it.