Linguistics Stack Exchange
Linguistics Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [language-acquisition]

The study of language learning, especially the processes by which first languages are learned by children.

153 questions
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Are some languages inherently harder for children to acquire?

I don't see why this shouldn't be the case. Surely children around the world don't learn to speak fluently by the same age?
JohnJamesSmith
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Why do parents refer to themselves in third person?

Why do parents refer to themselves in third person, when talking to small kids? I've seen this happening in German, English and Russian and I do this myself (even though I try not to, because I think, it is odd). I've read some explanations on this…
Amelse Etomer
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How useful is the "pimsleur approach" for learning a new language?

I saw this video earlier today (The most important part is from 8.00 to 9.00), explaining what the "Pimsleur approach" is. It got me interested, because they claim it's the fastest method of learning the basics of a new language. Has there ever been…
Simon Verbeke
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Can children learn up to 4 different languages? And how to do it?

An example is parents with different mother tongues living in a foreign country, teaching those three languages and also English. How and when should this language be taught? Can all be taught in early age or only when the others are firmly…
DK39
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What do we know about primary language loss?

Living for the past five years in countries in which English is not the native language has left me feeling that my use of my native tongue has somewhat diminished in daily speech. When I talk to my family back home, for example, I feel myself…
user10982
5
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1 answer

Studies of Twin Speak

I'm curious about language acquisition among twins. I've heard it said that they often develop their own language (of sorts) and I was wondering if anyone has done any studies of this phenomenon. Is it more common in certain languages/ language…
Adele- Nexus of Potlucks
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Is it more difficult to learn Japanese or English for a Chinese?

For Europeans it's easier to learn English than Japanese. Is the the same true for Chinese? As far as measuring difficulty I would propose the amount of hours that you need to study the language to get a comparable level in it.
Christian
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How many languages can a person reasonably know?

I was looking at this video about Japanese Kanji on youtube, and found a discussion where people were talking about learning too many languages. Several claimed that they started to forget English because they had to invest so much time into Kanji.…
user19661
3
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0 answers

Become fluent in a language without study it

I ask me if It's possible become fluent in a language without study it. When You are 1/2 years old, you learn a languages without studying it. You need just to listen and listen. So, Is it possible learn a language without study it and just read…
Skxrda
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Language Acquisition in Children from single parent

I understand this is a complex issue but I wonder if someone here can shed some light on the current understanding of this situation. I am a Portuguese father of two living in Germany. My wife is German. I have two children (aged 5 and 7). Both were…
Paulo Matos
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How do people learn a totally foreign language that has not been studied at all?

In modern times, there are countless ways of learning foreign languages, for example, through the Internet. But those languages are mostly well studied and understood, and a guideline on how to learn it has already been established. When I learn…
Vun-Hugh Vaw
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Long-term effects of foreign languages on memory

I've been speaking Dutch daily for 5 years. My mother tongue is Portuguese. I used to speak faster in Spanish and English when I thought in Portuguese daily. I think that by forcing myself to think in Dutch I have kind of lost the connection I…
Yuri Borges
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Limitations on constructed languages for native speakers to be

Let's say I constructed a language L and taught it to a thousand people. In a few years, their level of proficiency is perfect. I ask them to only speak L from now on and send them to an island where they make lots of babies. Question: will their…
user132181
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What is my native language?

I was adopted from China when I was 10 months old. I have lived in the US since then and English is the only language I am fluent in. Would my native language and first language be English? What is my mother language? Also, if possible, I would…
Sophia
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Has any research been done on the effect of introversion on language learning?

I am looking for any research that covers introversion, or more specifically, reluctance or inabilty to learn by speaking with others.
user10982
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