Does it take a special talent to learn another language, or can any one learn another language?

Question

I mean any one who is average or a little above average in intelligence.

Also, can one learn a language and start at an older age like 30 then learn it in full

I just had to ask to kill two birds with one stone.

Answer 1

Anyone can learn a language, and yes, you can learn after the age of 30. However, there are a few things to keep in mind.

It is more difficult--although not impossible--for an adult to learn a foreign language. After the age of 10, our brains don't form new neural pathways as quickly and easily as they do before that age.

Some people have more of an aptitude for languages than others, just like some people are better at math than others.

Some languages are more difficult to learn than others. There are five categories of language difficulty, 1 being the easiest, 5 being the most difficult. There are only two Cat 5 languages--English and Mandarin Chinese. Russian is a 4. Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French and Romanian (the Romance languages) are all Cat 2 and very easy to learn. Incidentally, the reason Pope John Paul could learn Spanish so quickly is that it's so closely related to Italian, which he already spoke. Once you learn one Romance (or Slavic or Germanic) language, it's much easier to pick the other ones up.

Your determination has a lot to do with it. If you keep an open mind, stick with it and study, you can learn a language well enough to get by and hold at least basic conversations. Good luck!

Answer 2

I used to think that that I had no talent for learning languages. As a matter of fact, I tried learning Spanish in High School when I was 16. I failed first-year Spanish. I thought I was not capable of learning a foreign language. Just before my 40th birthday, my oldest daughter began taking Spanish in High School. At that time I realized that I still remembered quite a bit of Spanish, even though I failed the course, and there were 24 years between the two events.

I tried an experiment. I began teaching myself Esperanto (I had heard it was the easiest language on earth to learn). I'm now fluent in Esperanto, and have gone back and studied Spanish and German to the point of being, more-or-less, conversational.

The thing that surprised me the most about my experiment was how much I have enjoyed being part of the international community of Esperantists, and how much of the world has been opened to me by learning Esperanto.

While it's true that before puberty the brain picks up on languages very quickly, and it becomes more difficult after that. Anyone who is "average or a little above" can learn a foreign language, some just learn faster than others. Different methods work with different people. You may be someone who can only learn through immersion. Keep looking at different course methods. Go to your local public library and try out different types of courses. You may find one that works for you.

The key is don't give up. If you would like more information about Esperanto, or language learning, just email me from my profile. It's my favorite subject.

Answer 3

It's never late to learn a language - the duration of learning a language, however differs from one person to another & one age to another... A child is more capable of learning a language faster and get the exact fluent accent. While as you grow, you are able to learn the language, but it's quite hard to obtain the perfect accent, not like a child would. However, some people have the ability to grasp any accent in any language no matter what age - That's a speciality/talent.

So, my bottom line is - Anybody can learn a language, but doesn't necessarily mean you will get the accent...

Answer 4

Yes you can! AND you can at any age if you still have your memory. I'm 62 and speak 3. My son is 36 and is certified in 12!
My other son and my daughter both speak 2.

A community college, a friend that speaks another language that you want to learn, is your best bet! If you must do it on your own, then get the Rosetta Stone.

I commend you on your effort, but please remember this: If you don't practice it, then you will lose it.

My first language was too easy. I was sent to a job in another country and no one spoke English. It was swim or drown. In 2-3 months I was up to speed. Even now people that I converse with tell me I have no accent. Go Fish!

Answer 5

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Answer 6

It's never too late to learn a new language, it's all about finding the best method for your particular learning style. Research has shown that it is a lot easier to learn a language when you are younger, but there is nothing to say that it is impossible once you
pass 30. It depends on the individual, motivation is the only pre-requisite.

Answer 7

Yeah, anyone can learn a new language. It does take a good ear though, because if you're not pronoucing things right, your accent can really get in the way of what you're trying to say. I speak a decent amount of Spanish, and my dad's trying to learn it but its harder for him to learn how to pronouce things right. Once he tryed striking up conversation with a Hispanic woman, and she thought he was speaking English because his American accent was so thick! You can learn a language with a software program or class, but the hands-down best way is to get to know someone who speaks the language or visit a country that speaks it. Reading books or listening to tapes won't give you the practice of actually speaking it.

Answer 8

Babies learn languages, my dad who can speak spanish says that the best way to learn it to be immersed in it. It is however, easier to learn a language the younger u r. but u could put anyone in another country and in a year, they would at least hav the basics.

Answer 9

You can learn another language after 30, but it much more difficult as an adult than as a child because your brain is less elastic than before.

Get a CD-ROM tutorial and study hard. You will never be fluent, however, unless you find native speakers of the language which you are studying with whom you can regularly converse.

Answer 10

Yes, almost anyone can learn a language, if you're willing to work at it. Pope John Paul II learned spanish after he became Pope! He was obviously a very intelligent man, but if he could do it at that age, I'm sure you can do it at yours. Buena Suerte!