Language acquisition in children is a remarkable feat, showcasing the intricate complexities of linguistic competence. Long before grasping mathematical concepts, young children adeptly navigate the grammar of their native language, effortlessly constructing sentences, posing questions, and employing syntactic and semantic rules. This innate linguistic ability is evident across cultures, highlighting the universality of language acquisition processes.
Differences between Native and Second Language
From the moment we are born, we constantly absorb language. We are exposed to language before we even open our eyes. In addition, considering the time dilation babies feel, there is an abundance of exposure that conditions the baby’s brain towards language, and activates the areas of the brain responsible for language.
Contrary to popular belief, children don’t rely on memorizing an exhaustive list of words stored in a mental dictionary. Instead, they demonstrate a remarkable capacity to generate and comprehend novel sentences, even those they’ve never encountered before. This ability to creatively use language underscores children’s inherent understanding of linguistic rules, despite not being explicitly taught these rules by their caregivers.
He that understands grammar in one language, understands it in another as far as the essential properties of Grammar are concerned. The fact that he can’t speak, nor comprehend, another language is due to the diversity of words and their various forms, but these are the accidental properties of grammar.
Roger Bacon (1214 – 1294)
As children progress through language acquisition, they gradually develop linguistic competence, fine-tuning their grasp of grammar and syntax. However, linguistic development doesn’t occur in isolation; children also acquire communicative competence, learning the social nuances of language use, such as greetings, taboo words, and appropriate forms of address for various contexts.
The stages of language acquisition, though similar across diverse linguistic environments, unfold at different paces and may overlap temporarily. These stages are meticulously documented through parental diaries, tape recordings, videotapes, and controlled experiments, providing insights into the progression of linguistic milestones in children.
While children don’t awaken one morning with a fully formed grammar or social language rules, their journey towards linguistic mastery is marked by gradual refinement, with each stage approximating the complexity of adult language. This developmental process underscores children’s innate linguistic capabilities and their ability to adapt to the linguistic and social norms of their environment.
In summary, the study of language acquisition in children offers profound insights into the innate mechanisms underlying linguistic competence. Children’s intuitive grasp of grammar and syntax, coupled with their gradual acquisition of social language rules, underscores the remarkable complexity and universality of human language development.
Learning a Second Language
Learning a second language is quite different from learning our first language, as many of us have experienced either in school or while traveling. Even those with a knack for picking up languages may need some guidance or find a dictionary and grammar rules helpful.
Some people simply struggle with learning another language, even if they excel in their native tongue, ace writing assignments, or craft beautiful poetry. Interestingly, it often seems easier for younger individuals to grasp a new language. Kids exposed to multiple languages before puberty tend to pick them up effortlessly. Whether a language is their first or added later, they seem to absorb them equally well.
Experts suggest there’s a certain age threshold for language learning, where it becomes harder without special instruction or unique learning approaches.
When we delve into the differences between learning a first and second language, it’s not just about the words and grammar. Psychological, physical, and social factors also play a role. Adults, especially, may feel self-conscious about making mistakes, which can hinder their progress. Children, on the other hand, are often unfazed by errors.
Yet, adults who already know one language actually have a leg up, as they understand fundamental language structures. This is evident in the stages of learning a second language, which mirror those of learning a first.
For instance, studies show that English-speaking children initially interpret sentences like “John is easy to see” as “It is easy for John to see.” Similarly, French speakers learning English go through a comparable phase. Interestingly, this challenge isn’t due to interference from French grammar, since French and English share similarities in this regard.
However, issues may arise from native phonology, morphology, and syntax, leading to difficulties like foreign accents or the use of non-native sentence structures.