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Englishuser Posted 20 years ago
Linguistics Studies
Can a L2-learner become a native speaker?
In his article The Native Speaker in Applied Linguistics Alan Davies argues that L2-learners can become 'native speakers' of the target language, although this is extremely rare. For instance, Davies writes, it is possible for a L2-learner "to gain access to intuitions about his/her own idiolectal grammar of the target language", to "gain access to the standard grammar of the target language", to "gain the discourse and pragmatic control of a NS", and to "become a creative artist in the target language". The only thing that distinguishes the 'native speaker of a second language' from other native speakers is that the former did not acquire the language in early childhood. What do you think? Do you agree or disagree with Davies? Why?
Englishuser
Englishuser
Top answer
What's a native speaker ?
- What's a native speaker ?
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73 Answers
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It's interesting that Davies uses a metaphor of "outside-ness" ("target language"). Yet his criteria (access to intuitions, etc.) are internal. Perhaps some version of the Turing test would be more appropriate, which relied solely on external criteria.
Then again, if the first and second (and subsequent) languages relate to different areas of the brain, there will presumably always be mea
Then again, if the first and second (and subsequent) languages relate to different areas of the brain, there will presumably always be mea
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Hi milky,
I would define a native speaker as a person who acquired a language in early childhood. It is possible to be a native speaker of two or more languages, and your native language could change, as long as you acquire the new language early enough.
However, I would be anxious to point out that, in practice, it lacks relevance whether or not someone is a native speaker. The
I would define a native speaker as a person who acquired a language in early childhood. It is possible to be a native speaker of two or more languages, and your native language could change, as long as you acquire the new language early enough.
However, I would be anxious to point out that, in practice, it lacks relevance whether or not someone is a native speaker. The
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Hi Mr Pedantic,
You wrote:
Englishuser
You wrote:
Then again, if the first and second (and subsequent) languages relate to different areas of the brain, there will presumably always be measurable physiological differences in the use of L1 and L2.Do you believe this?
Englishuser
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EnglishuserHi Mr Pedantic,If the condition is met, yes.
You wrote:Then again, if the first and second (and subsequent) languages relate to different areas of the brain, there will presumably always be measurable physiological differences in the use of L1 and L2.Do you believe this?
Englishuser
(Bil
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Hi MrPedantic,
Have you investigated this yourself? Or what makes you believe that it is so relevant in which part of your brain your language skills in a particular language are stored, so to speak?
Englishuser
Have you investigated this yourself? Or what makes you believe that it is so relevant in which part of your brain your language skills in a particular language are stored, so to speak?
Englishuser
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Yes, always if the speaker of a different language begins learning another before adolescence. Other cases exist but it takes more work. In Poland, I would categorise about halve of all people with Masters degrees in English Philology as effective native speakers. Generally, people who move to a different language environment every seven years from the age of seven seem to learn languages the bes
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<However, I would be anxious to point out that, in practice, it lacks relevance whether or not someone is a native speaker. There are people who speak and write English much more elegantly than most native speakers. Yet, this doesn't make them native speakers. Instead, I would call them expert speakers.>
A more precise and valuable term.
A more precise and valuable term.
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EnglishuserHello EU
Hi MrPedantic,
Have you investigated this yourself? Or what makes you believe that it is so relevant in which part of your brain your language skills in a particular language are stored, so to speak?
Englishuser
I only have a few back-of-matchbox scraps of knowledge on the physiological aspects of l
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Hi
This is interesting. I think I read somewhere (some type of research artical) that 2nd and 1st language learning takes place in different areas of the brain. How early is early childhood? Of course, children pick up other langauges more easily than adults, but a child's brain is not fully developed. So it easier for a child to internalize the rules of the language. An adult can do th
This is interesting. I think I read somewhere (some type of research artical) that 2nd and 1st language learning takes place in different areas of the brain. How early is early childhood? Of course, children pick up other langauges more easily than adults, but a child's brain is not fully developed. So it easier for a child to internalize the rules of the language. An adult can do th
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