The goal of this term paper is to answer the question if it is possible to achieve a later language acquisition than in the stage of a baby or a toddler, like the problems so called feral children have by discovering language at a later point in life. Therefore, it is necessary to define and describe the terms first language acquisition and feral children first. Afterwards (chapter three), the difference between first and second language acquisition will be clarified and it will also been mentioned, why it is not possible for feral children to acquire the first language like other people acquire the second language in a later point in time. To show this, different cases of those children with language acquisition in extreme situations will be used to underline the thesis.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Language Acquisition during the First Years of One's Life
- First Language Acquisition in a Regular Surrounding
- Feral children and language acquisition
- Second Language Acquisition in Contrast
- Feral children case-studies
- Victor
- Genie
- Amala and Kamala
- Memmie LeBlanc ― an Exception?
- Conclusion
- References
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This term paper explores the question of whether first language acquisition is possible beyond the early stages of childhood, specifically focusing on the case of feral children who acquire language later in life. The paper first defines and describes first language acquisition and feral children. It then delves into the differences between first and second language acquisition and investigates why feral children cannot acquire first language like other individuals acquire a second language later in life. The paper uses various case studies of feral children to support its thesis.
- First language acquisition in typical and atypical environments
- The concept of feral children and their unique language acquisition challenges
- Contrasting first and second language acquisition processes
- Factors influencing language acquisition in children
- The impact of isolation and deprivation on language development
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introduction of the term paper sets the stage by outlining the paper's central question: Can individuals acquire their first language later in life, particularly in the context of feral children? The introduction also provides a brief overview of the paper's structure and key objectives.
Chapter 2 delves into the process of first language acquisition during the early years of life. The chapter discusses the role of prenatal exposure to language and how babies begin to understand and produce sounds even before birth. It examines the stages of language development in children, highlighting the influence of physical development and the role of imitation in learning. The chapter also introduces the concept of feral children, who are raised in isolation from human interaction and lack the typical opportunities for language acquisition.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The primary keywords and focus topics of this paper include first language acquisition, feral children, language development, critical period hypothesis, isolation, deprivation, case studies, Victor, Genie, Amala and Kamala, and Memmie LeBlanc.
- Quote paper
- Nadine Custer (Author), 2012, Is there a Second Chance for First Language Acquisition?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/263872
