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Linguistic prodigy

 
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Dr X



Joined: 04 Jul 2016
Posts: 84
Location: Everywhere

PostPosted: Tue Oct 25, 2016 9:34 am    Post subject: Linguistic prodigy Reply with quote

Four-year-old Russian girl speaks 7 languages, including Arabic and Chinese.
https://www.rt.com/viral/363656-child-prodigy-seven-languages/

"five-six languages were a standard package for an educated youth back in 19th century Russia"

Children in the USA and the UK can barely speak English correctly never mind other languages.

How many languages do you speak?
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spiral78



Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 11534
Location: On a Short Leash

PostPosted: Tue Oct 25, 2016 2:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Like many of us, I unfortunately started as an adult and speak just English +1 well, and 2 other languages just to function on an everyday basis.

However, on the topic of child language learning, I know children in the Netherlands who grow up with 4 or 5 languages (father's, mother's, Dutch for school, English for social contacts, and with German and French following in school). I think it's a tremendous advantages in most respects, though I think there are some studies that show this kind of multilingual environment can be a bit tougher for small boys for a couple of years.

I reckon it's not so much about what you learn in school, but what you experience and use in everyday life. I know a lot of Canadians who had French in school, but can't speak much as adults (they don't need to, basically, so don't develop the facility).
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