3 ms·
> 1. Young children seem to have the biggest capability in learning languages. Is there any evidence that this is actually due to their capability? I would say
by lacampbell 10y ago
> 1. Young children seem to have the biggest capability in learning languages.
Is there any evidence that this is actually due to their capability? I would say it's far more likely it's their environment. IE, people are constantly talking to young kids. They simplify what they say to make themselves understood. And children have a huge incentive to learn to communicate - to get what they want from parents, or just understand the world around them. The same isn't true for a grown adult trying to learn a second language, in isolation, that they don't really need in their day to day lives.
Disclaimer: this is pure conjecture.
- dredmorbius 10y agoThere's extensive research literature strongly suggesting an age link: https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=language%20learning%20ability%20age&btnG=Search&as_sdt=800000000001&as_sdtp=on https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=language%20learning%20a... I'm also aware of a few other age/skill type relations. Musical ability frequently manifests early -- by age 4-5 in numerous historical cases. Talents requiring physical coordination -- ballet and gymnastics -- around age 9-10 by Russian tradition. Maths and scientific curiosity perhaps early adolescence. Complex logic and activities requiring a fully developed inhibitory function (avoiding reflex and rash actions) possibly early 20s. I'm suspecting other forms of more synthetic (as in: assembling from parts) logic might not develop fully until the 30s or 40s. Other skills might similarly not develop until later.