Department of Language Education, Arts and Culture
Institution
University Of South Africa (Unisa)
code: TMN3701 Assessment number: 2 Due date: 9 May 2024 Total marks: 100 QUESTION 1 TMN3701/2024 ASSESSMENT 2 1.1. Discuss the critical period hypothesis and indicate whether it has ...
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Department of Language Education, Arts and
Culture
ASSESMENT O2
Unique number: 781160
TMN 3701
2024
,code: TMN3701
Assessment number: 2
Due date: 9 May 2024
Total marks: 100
QUESTION 1
TMN3701/2024 ASSESSMENT 2
1.1. Discuss the critical period hypothesis and indicate whether it has any
relevance to language acquisition and language learning. Substantiate your
answer. (10)
The Critical Period Hypothesis (CPH) is a theory in the field of linguistics that
suggests there is a biologically determined period during which an individual must
acquire a language in order to achieve native-like proficiency. This hypothesis
posits that there is a specific window of time in early childhood during which
language acquisition is most effective and successful.
The relevance of the Critical Period Hypothesis to language acquisition and
language learning is a topic of ongoing debate among researchers. Here are some
key points to consider when discussing this hypothesis:
1. **Biological Basis**: The Critical Period Hypothesis is based on the idea that
there may be biological factors that make language acquisition easier during early
childhood. This could be due to brain plasticity, which is the brain's ability to
reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. During the
critical period, the brain may be more receptive to language input and better able
to acquire language skills.
, 2. **Native-like Proficiency**: One of the main arguments in favor of the Critical
Period Hypothesis is that individuals who learn a language after the critical period
may never achieve native-like proficiency in terms of pronunciation, grammar,
and vocabulary. This is often cited as evidence that there is a limited window of
opportunity for acquiring language skills to a high level of fluency.
3. **Second Language Acquisition**: The Critical Period Hypothesis is often
discussed in the context of second language acquisition. Some studies suggest
that individuals who start learning a second language after the critical period may
struggle more with pronunciation and grammar compared to those who start at a
younger age. However, it's important to note that many adults are still able to
learn a second language successfully, even if they may not reach native-like
proficiency.
4. **Variability**: While the Critical Period Hypothesis provides a useful
framework for understanding language acquisition, it's important to recognize
that there is variability among individuals. Not everyone follows the same
timeline or experiences the same level of success when learning a language.
Factors such as motivation, exposure to the language, and individual differences
in learning strategies can also play a significant role in language acquisition.
In conclusion, the Critical Period Hypothesis has relevance to language acquisition
and language learning by highlighting the potential impact of age on the ability to
acquire language skills. While the hypothesis is not without its criticisms and
exceptions, it remains a valuable concept for understanding the role of age in
language acquisition processes.
Sources:
- Newport, E. L. (2010).
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