3 ms·

My point is it's the determining factor for kids as well. They want to speak.

by lacampbell 10y ago

inimino 10y ago
OP never suggested otherwise. Motivation matters for adults because not all adults are equally motivated.
- wallflower 10y ago
  Ok, maybe that quote was too brief. To expand it, almost every baby is born with the ability to speak any language. [1] Some of the 'biological' categorization here comes from research that finds that the fundamentals sounds of human language are much like bird song in that the all languages share commonalities, despite their differences. [2] Language is more about nature than nurture, at its very root. As early as age one, the ability to speak other languages other than the most dominant languages the baby rapidly diminishes. [3] Studies of Genie, a child who was raised in inhuman conditions until around age 13, found that, despite improvement, she never was able to develop her language abilities to adult level. [4] As for motivation, learning a language to intermediate-level proficiency may be one of the most difficult things you can learn, even a relatively simple language like Spanish. It is so easy to get frustrated and lose confidence, especially as an adult who is used to being "good" at things like abstract thinking and fixing/making complex software systems. [1] http://www.livescience.com/4459-infants-amazing-capabilities-adults-lack.html http://www.livescience.com/4459-infants-amazing-capabilities... [2] http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2600623/Language-biological-instinct-Babies-dont-learn-develop-speech-theyre-BORN-ability.html http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2600623/Langu... [3] http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/11/health/views/11klass.html http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/11/health/views/11klass.html [4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genie_(feral_child) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genie_(feral_child)

3 ms·

My point is it's the determining factor for kids as well. They want to speak.

by lacampbell 10y ago

My point is it's the determining factor for kids as well. They want to speak.

inimino 10y ago
OP never suggested otherwise. Motivation matters for adults because not all adults are equally motivated.
- wallflower 10y ago
  Ok, maybe that quote was too brief. To expand it, almost every baby is born with the ability to speak any language. [1] Some of the 'biological' categorization here comes from research that finds that the fundamentals sounds of human language are much like bird song in that the all languages share commonalities, despite their differences. [2] Language is more about nature than nurture, at its very root. As early as age one, the ability to speak other languages other than the most dominant languages the baby rapidly diminishes. [3] Studies of Genie, a child who was raised in inhuman conditions until around age 13, found that, despite improvement, she never was able to develop her language abilities to adult level. [4] As for motivation, learning a language to intermediate-level proficiency may be one of the most difficult things you can learn, even a relatively simple language like Spanish. It is so easy to get frustrated and lose confidence, especially as an adult who is used to being "good" at things like abstract thinking and fixing/making complex software systems. [1] http://www.livescience.com/4459-infants-amazing-capabilities-adults-lack.html http://www.livescience.com/4459-infants-amazing-capabilities... [2] http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2600623/Language-biological-instinct-Babies-dont-learn-develop-speech-theyre-BORN-ability.html http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2600623/Langu... [3] http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/11/health/views/11klass.html http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/11/health/views/11klass.html [4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genie_(feral_child) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genie_(feral_child)