The main difficulty in language learning...

[Hello]

The main difficulty in language learning is that the original language each person learns, actually hard-wires their brain connections.

It is not possible to remove the original language connections, as they are write once/read many times, type of connections.

Any further language, as it is learned, adds additionally to the original language connections.

This means that for each person, the original language they learned, all other languages and thinking are modified in the pattern of the original language.

So, for a person whose original language is Chinese, they will never be fully fluent-YES Fully fluent not fluent - because to say that a person will never become fluent in second (etc.) languages is not correct -in English or another language, sad to say, although gradual improvements can be made with effort.

The same goes for a person who tries to learn Chinese. With effort there may be improvement, but the hard-wiring remains, and the new language is interpreted through the nuances of the language first learned.

One need only look at international-current-events broadcasts to verify.... What is correct, is that one's native language or languages acquisition is more or less finished (as a biological imperative) during the period of primary brain development--before the age of around six years.

The import of this is that any language acquired after that age will invariably not be spoken conversationally with that language's indigenous inflections (accent). Knowing this, one can readily discern whether or not a person speaking any language actually acquired that language as one (or more) of his/her "native" languages--i.e., before the aforementioned age.

On the other hand, the presence of an improper "accent," is the immediate "tell tale" that a person learned a language, whether to the point of fluency or not, only after the age of 6 (+/-)--i.e., after the age of primary language acquisition.

Much like musical-instrument language (...playing muscle training instead of speaking muscle training) acquisition, the earlier in life...the better.

Responsibility for the multi-languages goes back to the desire of people long ago, who started to build the Tower of Babel.

Good luck

Salam

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Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for " Humanity "

[ForOneSucks]

Hello Salam,

I don't agree. The brain is an amazing system. Though I am not a brain surgeon, I know new bonds between neurons could be established; therefore, the 'hard-wiring' problem is eradicated. Through perseverance, motivation and belief, directed at the designated goal, anything is achievable, even fluency.

Best regards.

[Torsten]

Hi Salam,

The biggest obstacle for most language learners is changing their habits. It's not true that your native language 'hard-wires your brain'. This might sound impressive and scientific but the truth is that you can learn anything as long as you are ready and willing to change your habits systematically. Learning a language is pretty much like practicing a sport. If you don't practice on a regular basis you won't get anywhere. You don't surround yourself with the new language you won't learn it. If you do surround yourself with the new language every single day your brain will absorb it. It's as simple as that. The question is how many people who claim they want to learn English actually listen to English every single day? The answer: Most people don't and that's the reason why they don't make any significant progress in their learning.

Your article is an excuse for all those people who fail to change their habits.
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[ForOneSucks]

I second that, Torsten; well stated.

[Hello]

First of all ,let us give the praise where it is due.
It is not us , it is the experiences

Many thanks for Mr.Torsten and our friend ForOneSucks.

Please, to let us open some round of talk I hope you give me the meaning and your philosophy about "Full Fluent" ,and please keep your focus when we speaking about multiple languages( i.e : more than three).You will see how I take you to some great language like Arabic and let you see the difficulties which the Arabic language Scientists are facing in it's field.

All are invited to attend this discussions ,don't miss it's golden opportunity.It has a distinctive taste !

Good luck.

Salam

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We must strive to do the best in life to ourself and to others as far as possible.

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