What is the Difference Between First Language and Second Language?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between a first language and a second language lies in the manner they are acquired and the age of the learner. Here are some key differences:
- Acquisition: A first language (FL) is acquired naturally from birth, while a second language (SL) is learned at a later stage in life. FL acquisition is instinctive and requires no instruction, whereas SL acquisition involves conscious effort and learning strategies.
- Age of Acquisition: FL is acquired between birth and around 7 or 8 years old, while SL can be learned at any age. The age of acquisition plays a significant role in language learning outcomes, with younger learners typically experiencing more success and fluency in both FL and SL.
- Nature of Acquisition: FL acquisition is considered innate and occurs with little effort, while SL acquisition is a conscious and volitional process. This difference in the nature of acquisition can lead to varying degrees of proficiency in SL compared to FL.
- Personality and Learning Environment: A child's personality does not usually make much of a difference in FL acquisition, but it can have a significant impact on SL learning. Additionally, the learning environment and resources available for SL acquisition can vary greatly, whereas FL acquisition happens naturally within the family and community.
In summary, a first language is acquired naturally from birth and is an instinctive process, while a second language is learned consciously at a later stage in life. The age of acquisition, nature of acquisition, and learning environment are key factors that differentiate first and second language acquisition.
Comparative Table: First Language vs Second Language
Here is a table comparing the differences between first language and second language:
| Feature | First Language (L1) | Second Language (L2) |
|---|---|---|
| Acquisition | Acquired naturally, usually during childhood | Acquired later in life, often through explicit learning |
| Instinctiveness | Native language, acquired like an instinct | Personal choice, not inherent |
| Inheritance | Inherited from parents and society | Chosen by the individual |
| Fluency and Competence | More fluent and competent, with better knowledge of idiomatic expressions, sentence structures, and natural patterns | Less fluent and competent, with more effort required to learn and understand the language |
| Developmental Sequences | Appears to follow a common pattern for all learners | Follows a pattern influenced by the L1, leading to varied outcomes |
| Interlanguage Theory | Theory does not apply, as the child's language is not yet fully developed | Theory applies, as learners move from their L1 towards the target L2, with their L1 influencing the L2 development |
In summary, the first language is typically acquired naturally during childhood and serves as the native or mother tongue, while the second language is acquired later in life through explicit learning and is never as fluent or competent as the first language.
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