Is there a Second Chance for First Language Acquisition?

First and Second Language Acquisition

Term Paper , 2012 , 12 Pages , Grade: 1.0

Didactics for the subject English - Pedagogy, Literature Studies

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.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Language Acquisition during the First Years of One’s Life
2.1 First Language Acquisition in a Regular Surrounding
2.2 Feral children and language acquisition

3. Second Language Acquisition in Contrast

4. Feral children case-studies
4.1 Victor
4.2 Genie
4.3 Amala and Kamala
4.4 Memmie LeBlanc - an Exception?

5. Conclusion

6. References

• College: Justus-Liebig-University Giessen (Anglistik)
• Course: Psycholinguistic
• Grade: 1.0
• Author: Nadine Custer (Author)
• Publication Year: 2012
• Pages: 12
• Catalog Number: V263872
• ISBN (eBook): 9783656528401
• ISBN (Book): 9783656535645
• Language: English
• Tags: second, chance, first, language, acquisition