Re: Spanish and Portuguese

[Gerry]:

> > > To Marc and Alexander:
> > > Why do you think that native kids have little problem learning the
> > > syntax of their native language whereas schoolkids have more difficulty
> > > learning another language?
> > > Gerry

[Alexander]:

> > Maybe because little babies don't "learn" native language at all? They just
> > learn speaking a human language and its syntax is as natural as air

composition

> > or gravitation. It seems to be the only possible way of speaking. Later any
> > other language will look like something not natural. Maybe so?

[Gerry]:

> Then Alexander, do you think these young babies have a template in their head

which maps out the syntax of their language?

> I'm beginning to think they might.

I think it could be so. We know that language plays an important role in the
thinking process, and in emergence of associations.
We can suppose that such a "template" is created during the recognition
(learning) of the native language in form of a special neuron constellations
pattern, by analogy with the complex conditioned reflexes forming or the
establishment of not-inborn dynamical stereotypes like ability to use a fork
(chopsticks) or to play a piano. The syntax is an organic part of the speach, so
it should be imprinted as strongly as basic lexicon, I think.
Every next learnt language can produce its own neuron associative connections
but the virginity (of the brain) is already lost ...

Alexander