How does it only take a year or so to speak/understand our first language but it’s so much harder to acquire another language?

Question

Like, we have a frame of reference (first language), so why is it so hard to learn another language after that?

In: Other

Answer 1

Before the age of 12 our brains are basically just set up to take in communication to learn language no matter how many if you learn 5 languages under the age of 12 the language part of your brain would be like a nice bubble. If you learn a second language after 12 that language portion will have a little finger sticking out of the main language area. So once the Jell-O turns from liquid to solid your brain has a harder time making changes. But it doesn’t mean it’s impossible it just means it’s not as easy. Plus you have to remember that from the ages of 1 to 5 you didn’t really have much going on in your life besides trying to learn how to communicate. Add in social pressures of high school and peer pressure everything gets harder.