You are quite right. Just remember that the sentences tend to have less words in these languages like finnish. Flexation cut's down the prepositions and articles. Words just happen to get longer at the same time. (36 words, english version)

Olet melko oikeassa. Muistathan, että lauseissa on tavanomaisesti vähemmän sanoja näissä kielissä kuten suomessa. Taivutus poistaa prepositioita ja artikkeleita, Sanoista vain sattuu tulemaan pidempiä samanaikaisesti. (25 words, the same in finnish)

# Sorry only 6 words to start with
I would like to learn Perl.

# Same in finnish 3-4 words
(Minä) haluasin oppia Perliä.
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=> All six combinations of the shorter form have the same semantics although this one is the most natural. With the "I" Minä included some of the 24 possible word combinations are quite awkward, but still understandable. If nothing else, they would likely reveal that you're not a native writer/speaker.