The impact of second language acquisition on individuals
Second language acquisition, often defined as the process of an individual learning a second language in addition to a person’s first language. This could also be incorporated as learning a third, fourth or fifth language. (Gass and Selinker 2008,p7) The process is usually divided to 5 stages: preproduction, early production, speech emergence, intermediate fluency, and advanced fluency. (Haynes 2007 p29-35) The learning process requires loads of efforts and cognitive practice to proceed to advanced level and even mastering in the second language. Throughout the process, one’s mental ability and cognitive development will have experienced significant change and create deep impact on individuals. Those impacts include the influence of learning a new language on one’s way of thinking; adding of new personality; improvement on creativity and effect on first language abilities. This paper will focus on discussing those impacts of second language acquisition on individuals and provide relevant research evidence. The hypothesis will always be based on that individuals …show more content…
People have been asking this question for hundreds of years. Many argued that this is a “chicken and egg” question where it could be that our thoughts influence the way that language evolves too. The answer should be both. --The way we talk shapes the way we think and the way we think influence the way we talk. In 1930s, linguist Benjamin Lee Whorf has proposed what is now known as Sapir Whorf Hypothesis—the way we read, write and speak could influence and even control the way we think about the world as well as our abilities and behaviors. Although the theory has been criticized over the past decades for its lack of evidence in support. It has been one of the most influential theories in linguistic field and the neo-Whorfian supporters have now provided empirical evidences to support his
Second language acquisition, often defined as the process of an individual learning a second language in addition to a person’s first language. This could also be incorporated as learning a third, fourth or fifth language. (Gass and Selinker 2008,p7) The process is usually divided to 5 stages: preproduction, early production, speech emergence, intermediate fluency, and advanced fluency. (Haynes 2007 p29-35) The learning process requires loads of efforts and cognitive practice to proceed to advanced level and even mastering in the second language. Throughout the process, one’s mental ability and cognitive development will have experienced significant change and create deep impact on individuals. Those impacts include the influence of learning a new language on one’s way of thinking; adding of new personality; improvement on creativity and effect on first language abilities. This paper will focus on discussing those impacts of second language acquisition on individuals and provide relevant research evidence. The hypothesis will always be based on that individuals …show more content…
People have been asking this question for hundreds of years. Many argued that this is a “chicken and egg” question where it could be that our thoughts influence the way that language evolves too. The answer should be both. --The way we talk shapes the way we think and the way we think influence the way we talk. In 1930s, linguist Benjamin Lee Whorf has proposed what is now known as Sapir Whorf Hypothesis—the way we read, write and speak could influence and even control the way we think about the world as well as our abilities and behaviors. Although the theory has been criticized over the past decades for its lack of evidence in support. It has been one of the most influential theories in linguistic field and the neo-Whorfian supporters have now provided empirical evidences to support his