Re: sensitive period in language acquisition?

>> >> >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

>> >> There's a "sensitive" period, as often in biological learning. After

10 years or so, new languages are much more difficult to learn. Marc

>> >OK Marc, then do you think that if these young kids learned a "foreign

language" at age 5, the the task would be that much easier? Gerry

>> Yes, the earlier the better IMO, eg, 2 "mother" languages at once, but I

don't know whether more than 2 languages will do. Marc

>Gerry: Earlier is certainly better. When do you propose that the young un

learn 2 "mother" languages at once? Gerry

I don't know: from birth? or at 2-3 years or so, when the child goes to the
creche or school? Probably it's important not to mix both languages: the
same person should always speak the same language with the young child, eg,
father vs mother, or at a somewhat later age: parents vs school?

Marc