Why can’t we learn languages just like babies learn their native languages, by listening and imitating the language without the help of other people
In: 1
Adding to the answers here: a huge part of learning is “discrimination”. That is, learning what rules of the world are *not* true.
As we grow older, we learn that painting a car red doesn’t make it drive any faster. If scientists discover a special red paint that makes cars actually drive faster, we have to spend extra time unlearning the rules we previously had.
With language, our brains quickly learn which sounds are considered normal and which are not. When learning a new language at an older age we have to overcome the “rules” from our native language which say only certain sounds are valid.
We not only have to learn the new language we have to overcome our native language rules.
Latest Answers