A language is just a way to communicate or share experiences and knowledge. We do this by connecting vocal sounds and patterns ("language") with what we see, feel, smell, taste, hear, and think. As a very young child, we were still learning about the world because it was very new to us. At the same time as we learn about the world, we learn the words to associate with everything in it.
For example: When we learn what "flower" means, we are not learning that the word "flower" has a sort of metaphysical connection to literally mean what a flower is. It's not like some fantasy elvish language, where the word IS the thing it is talking about. We just learn that we can refer to a flower even when there aren't any around, and others will know what we are talking about.
This may seem like common sense, but bear with me as I make my point.
Every language is like an inside joke. You know, I'm sure you've had plenty of inside jokes shared with friends. An inside joke basically is a reference to an experience that was thought funny or stood out in some way. You don't need to think about how to /define/ your inside joke; you all know what it means, and you don't even bother explaining to anyone outside of your group what the inside joke refers to. If they haven't or aren't going to experience it or be involved in any way, the inside joke will never be understood in the same way.
Everything we learn in a language is the same way. We experience something, and then learn how to refer to that experience. As we are able to refer to more and more experiences, we are able to understand more complex uses of those references, and even express ideas that you have created yourself and be understood by others.
In other words, we learn new words based on how and when they are used, and from that we learn what they mean, not the other way around; this is important to understand because in different languages there are words that might mean the same as a word in your language, but are used in an entirely different way than how you use your words.
Whenever you learn a new word or reference in your own language, whether it be just a different way to say something you already know, new lingo for your profession, an inside joke or a meme on the internet, you learn it and start to use it in the exact same way you learned your first language as a child. You don't sit down and "study" what it means by how it is defined, or memorize which words mean the same thing. You see how it is used and then you use it. And you can only see how something is used after many new examples, and repetitions of old examples. Think of how relaxed you are when listening to your own native tongue. You do not have to think about what each word means because you understand it through experience and not through hard study and thought. It is totally possible to learn a new language in the exact same way you learned your first one.
It seems like one of those "easier said than done" things. And it is, because of "that thing" that makes it "impossible for adults to learn like a child can." So what exactly is "that thing" anyways? It's actually two things.
1. Fear of embarrassment/ignorance
The phrase "ignorance is bliss" seems to really apply to this. As children we don't know what we don't know, and so we don't really care if we make mistakes because we don't know that we make mistakes. And no one cares if we make mistakes, either. We learn as we go along. Don't be afraid to learn like a child, because it doesn't make you immature. Learning like a child doesn't mean you have to sit there in front of a barney television show and jump up and down clapping your hands and giggling as the colorful characters burst into dance and song. It just means you need to open yourself up to a new culture and way of communication. It is totally possible to embrace a more open mindset to learn something that we didn't grow up with.
2. No one actually teaches us "like a child" anymore.
It seems most language learning programs today seem to emphasize either speed, memorization, or formal "business talk" or "small talk" that can just get you started or get you by in a foreign country. Not only are we afraid to learn like a child, but we are afraid to teach people like one. Again, learning like a child doesn't mean what people think it means. You don't have to patronize anyone, or be patronized. Remember we are just starting with the basics of a new language, not a new life. For example, we don't have to learn the difference between a boy and a girl, or what a mom and a dad are, or the difference between running and walking. Only a new way to talk about those things.
Why is it so important to learn like a child, though?
ANYONE CAN TALK TO A CHILD. Anyone can bring their level of speaking down to use simple terms to explain things to a child. If we can first learn these simple terms in another language, we can learn the rest from the natives themselves.
In my next blog post I'm going to talk about the "basic" aspects of a language, reading skills, and a little bit of my own personal experiences with language learning.
Also, a little extra tidbit, in reference to talking about why it's hard to learn a language after a certain age:
If you've ever read the Bible, there is a verse in there, Matthew 18:3 "And
he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like
little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." I kind of
feel like he was referring to the walls and filters we build up in our
minds as we grow older that shut us off to learning or accepting new things. So whether it's prejudice or fear of embarrassment, or whatever it is that gets in your way, it is possible to break it back down and "become like little children" with whatever you do.
Thanks for reading, and I'd love to hear any feedback/comments, or your own experiences on the subject! :)
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