What in your opinion, is genuine linguistic intelligence? Is it acquired or is innate?

Question

Many people claim that just by knowing how to speak a basic 2nd or 3rd language by attending classes (taught) or listening to native speakers makes them being fluent in the language and thus is an indication of them displaying linguistic intelligence. What do you think?

So how do you think we can differentiate the really talented ones in language(s) from those who claim themselves to be?

Answer 1

The essence of linguistic intelligence is the ability to communicate. The degree of effective communication is indicative of the degree of intelligence whether in one or several languages. Even though the technical skill in written/spoken language may be lacking, the intelligence will still manifest itself in communication. Think of all the vagaries of poetry. Ancient poets of languages long dead have often been able to bridge the gaps with stunning effect.

Unless there is brain injury linguistic intelligence is innate, particularly at that level that allows prosaic levels of accomplishment. It may be true that there is some innate difference in the poet or novelist but that is likely nurture in addition to nature. It is clear, however, that language is stage specific and unless developed at an early age will be, to say the least, less than optimum. By most researchers' account, there must be opportunity, means and motivation before the child reaches the age of about ten or eleven. Studies of brain activity in those learning language before that age show a single area processing both the native and secondary languages. After that age several areas of the brain are active when processing the foreign language, and the subjective experience is of it being more difficult.

Answer 2

This is a matter of brain hemispheres - there are people whose logical mental structures makes them desperate in the field of languages - and this from 1 to 99 y.o
and another category, who very often have perfect ears, not great in logics, but have a gift for languages -

From my experience, I can tell you that many people praise their linguistic capacities - and It's hard not to offend them by telling them the truth - I 've been working in groups where some individuals for YEARS obviously did not make a one-millimeter progress - and after years and years repeat exactly the same mistakes - this very similar to music



Not anybody can - means that you have the skill to test somebody - teachers can - skilled people too - but even - you must take time to make an opinion - and see the person facing
a serial of situations : understanding - level of speech- ability to write accurately - ability to understand natives even in very confused language - ability to negociate - etc -

this is difficult because many people who spent time in a country developed abilities in colloquial speech - then are lost if they must face very specific situations such as I described

Answer 3

The first question would be do we care? I support people learning other languages, especially when they are young as it helps brain development. But elsewhere in life, the proof is in the pudding as what matters is if the person can use their skill to effectively accomplish their job.