Language is something that influences us
from the time we are born. We grow up
listening to our family, friends and complete strangers speaking in various
tongues and become familiar with new sounds, accents and vocabularies as a
result of this exposure. Typically, we
start off with one true first language which will serve as our dominant
language, although there are definitely exceptions such as when people relocate
or study in a different language than what is spoken in their home.
However, this is not where most
individuals’ linguistic journeys end.
With the increased exposure to different languages due to globalization,
immigration and emigration, interest and educational requirements, many people
are learning additional languages to their first. Sometimes, second language acquisition
happens without even being intentional.
Such unplanned learning can happen easily; we watch TV shows, listen to
friends or strangers on the street speak in other languages or read an advertisement
in another language and without even trying, we learn bits and pieces of new
languages. While such learning does not
necessarily result in near native fluency, it is second language learning and
it is relevant in the story behind each person’s linguistic background.
Second Language Acquisition (SLA) is a
process that occurs when a person explores beyond their first language (L1) and
begins to learn a second language (L2).
(It is important to note that SLA is also used to refer to the
linguistic study of the process of acquiring a second language.) Learning a second language is an enriching
experience. It knocks down language
barriers and allows people to communicate with those of different backgrounds,
opens up whole new worlds of culture and music and can be extremely convenient
when travelling or meeting new friends.
Speaking a second language means a person possesses the powerful ability
to express themselves and have others express themselves in an entirely
different language.
Yet, the process is not simple and the
experience of learning a new language varies from person to person. Our ability to learn new languages including their
accents, structures and vocabularies stems from a combination of our linguistic
backgrounds and our sociocultural or non-linguistic backgrounds. First, our linguistic background dictates the
simplicity with which we may acquire new language skills through factors such
as past exposure to foreign languages or the L2, closeness of our L1 to our L2
(i.e. two Latin languages), etc. In
addition, there are non-linguistic or sociocultural factors that may affect our
ability to learn an L2 including our age, aptitude, motivation, perception or
perceived prestige of the L2, self-confidence, geographical location, etc.
All human beings have complex linguistic backgrounds,
regardless of the number of languages they speak fluently or conversationally
in. Our personal history, linguistic
history and present situation all come together to strongly dictate how
smoothly our individual processes of second language acquisition will go. For this very reason, there are extremely
different success rates across different individuals and the process of SLA
varies significantly in every unique situation.
Acquiring a second language is not easy.
It requires a driving force such as necessity, motivation or skill as
well as an appropriate linguistic and non-linguistic background, depending on
the level of fluency one aims to achieve.
Honestly, Second Language Acquisition can be an extremely daunting
process. Does it involve significant
amounts of time, commitment and personal challenges? The answer is yes, but the end result is so
incredibly worth it.
Learning multiple languages is so important especially here in the United States. Spanish is the biggie. I was brought up speaking English & french and I am learning Spanish for work related reasons.
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