Are some people just born linguists?

Question

Why is it easy for some people to just pick up a language in a relatively short time while others (like myself) struggle for years?

Answer 1

You bet. My talent is language; I began talking at 4 months old (no lie), and I have a good memory when learning a new language. Conversely, my brother who is a math genius, has real difficulty with language. He took so long to start talking, the doctors sent him to speech therapy, and they never discovered why he talked late. However, I know it is because language is not his strength. Now as for myself, language is my strength, math is not. I wanted nothing more than to be a doctor, but I didn't have the math skills. So now I am an English/speech and drama teacher.

Answer 2

I really think so (and I teach language and was told that this is not true)
As small children, humans acquire language with no problem (assuming there isn't some other difficultly) As older people, we just don't acquire it so easily. I think its a talent like sports or music. We can all learn to pick out a tune on a piano, but we're not all going to be concert pianist.
However, if the need exists (you move to a different country and need to know the language), you learn it to a greater or lesser degree.
It is much more or a struggle to learn a language when it is taught in a grammar-based way than when it is taught in a more meaning-based way, with grammar serving its purpose as a way to make your meaning clear, not as a logic puzzle!

Answer 3

It's true that it's easier to learn a language when you're young, and also, the more languages you know the easier it is to learn. It's also true that some people have more of an aptitude for languages than others, just like some people are better at math or language arts.

Answer 4

I think some people are more inclined to be better at language skills than others, myself, I can pick up other languages fairly easy, but I can't do simple math problems without paper and a calculator, so I had to pay for my ability

Answer 5

Funny you should ask.

Humans are quite a marvel.

With gifts.

Imagine, thousands of years ago, before the first engine was invented; these bearded guys running around in togas and chitons, ( now presently making superb cuisine of anything ) conceived of something so sublime, as the atom!

Which only in the past eighty or so years got any serious attetion.

( Mostly by the military, unfortunately. )

The truly funny part is, none of 'em got locked up for being loonies!

Answer 6

Yes, essentially, some people just have better facilities for learning languages than others - and the word to describe them isnt 'linguist', that means someone who studies languages. The term I believe you are looking for is 'polyglot'.

Answer 7

i think it's a skill that some people have that make them better than others. it may also depend on your environment. i spoke two languages by the time i was eight, and right now i'm learning french and spanish.

Answer 8

I don't know why but I know what you mean. I grew up with english but I find it very natural to speak in spanish and french. Sometimes I find myself thinking in another language other than english.

Answer 9

You have to start young.

By the time I was 7, I spoke 5 languages.





In broken English

Answer 10

if you start younger your mind is more open in recieveing information. so most older people have trouble remembering another language. i'm 15 and already having trouble with french haha, good thing i already speak another language