Question 1

What is language acquisition?

Accepted Answer

Language acquisition is how we learn to speak and understand words. It's how babies learn to talk to their families and friends.

Question 2

How do babies start learning language?

Accepted Answer

Babies start by listening to the sounds around them. Soon, they begin to make sounds like 'ma' or 'da' and eventually start saying words.

Question 3

Why is it easier for children to learn languages than adults?

Accepted Answer

Children's brains are like sponges. They're really good at soaking up new words and sounds because their brains are still growing.

Question 4

What is the first language babies hear?

Accepted Answer

Babies usually hear the language their family speaks. This is often called their 'mother tongue'.

Question 5

Can babies understand words before they can speak them?

Accepted Answer

Yes, babies start understanding words before they can say them. They might not talk, but they can follow simple commands like 'clap your hands'.

Question 6

How do kids learn to read and write?

Accepted Answer

Kids learn to read by sounding out letters and words. Writing starts with scribbles and grows into letters and words as they practice.

Question 7

What role do parents play in language learning?

Accepted Answer

Parents help by talking to their kids a lot and reading books to them. This helps children learn new words and understand how sentences work.

Question 8

Do all people learn language the same way?

Accepted Answer

While everyone learns to speak by listening first, different people might learn at different speeds. It also depends on the languages spoken around them.

Question 9

Can you learn more than one language at the same time?

Accepted Answer

Yes, many kids learn two or more languages from birth if their parents speak different languages. They become bilingual or even multilingual.

Question 10

Why do different places have different languages?

Accepted Answer

Languages develop in different places when people start talking in their own ways. Over time, their words and sounds change, creating new languages.

Question 11

What is a second language?

Accepted Answer

A second language is any language you learn after your first. For example, a kid who learns Spanish at home might learn English in school as a second language.

Question 12

How can you practice a new language?

Accepted Answer

You can practice by talking with people who know the language, listening to songs, or watching shows in that language. Practice helps you get better.

Question 13

Why is it important to learn another language?

Accepted Answer

Learning another language helps you talk with more people. It can also be fun and help you learn about different cultures.

Question 14

What happens if you make mistakes when speaking a new language?

Accepted Answer

Making mistakes is okay! It's part of learning. Each mistake helps you remember the right way to say something next time.

Question 15

Can animals learn language?

Accepted Answer

Animals can understand some words and signals but they don't use language like people do. Some animals, like parrots, can mimic words but they don't speak in sentences.

Question 16

What is sign language?

Accepted Answer

Sign language is a way to communicate using hands and gestures instead of words spoken with the mouth. It's used by people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Question 17

At what age do most kids start talking?

Accepted Answer

Most kids say their first words around their first birthday. As they grow older, they learn more words and start making simple sentences.

Question 18

Why do some words sound the same in different languages?

Accepted Answer

Some words sound the same because languages can borrow words from each other. Sometimes languages have common roots, like 'mom' which sounds similar in many languages.

Question 19

What is grammar and why is it important?

Accepted Answer

Grammar is the set of rules for making sentences. It helps us put words in the right order so others can understand us easily.

Question 20

Can a computer learn a language like a person does?

Accepted Answer

Computers can recognize and generate words but don't understand language like people do. They follow programmed rules and can't pick up meanings naturally.

The History and Science of Language Acquisition - 20 FAQs Explained Simply