How Critical is the Critical Period - Essay Example

How critical is the Critical Period Communication requires mastery of language. Various people around the world speak different languages. To increase their effectiveness to communicate with different people, certain individuals have mastered more than one language so that they are able to determine the factors that come into play when learning of a language is taking place (Fletcher et al. 37). Two philosophical systems have come forth; one is of the idea that the ability to learn a language is dependent on nature, the other side maintains that it depends on nurture (Bailey, 27). What comes out clearly though is the fact that human beings experience a diminished ability to learn a new language as they become older. This phenomenon is closely associated with the notion of critical periods. Various scholars argue that during this time an individual under the right conditions can learn a new language with ease. It is arguable that there exists a critical period where persons are able to learn a language without difficulty (Fletcher et al. 37). The Critical period has been the subject of many scholarly works; it is said to be a phase in a Childs life where they experience compounded ability to respond to certain stimulations necessary for the learning of a specific skill. In case an individual cannot be exposed to a particular stimulant during this time, the ability to grasp the skill will thin out as the individual advances in age. Failure to familiarize with a given aspect would mean that parts of the brain set aside to this function will become ineffective. These parts of the brain then adapt to performing other procedures (Waldfogel, 58).Scientists have varied opinions on the existence of a critical period. Some argue that there is actually no critical period because individuals have been able to learn second languages. Others claim that there are two periods during which individuals can learn a second language. Some scholars, however, maintain that is based on the apparent inability of adults to master a second language (Fletcher et al. 107). Scientists have done numerous studies with the aim of proving that the critical period exists. The studies have been able to provide positive results that support the theory of existence a critical period. The scholars have been able to show multiple pieces of evidence to prove that it actually exists; the first piece of evidence is a study of feral children: children who have no exposure to any form of language are said to be feral. This may be because of upbringing in an isolated environment. These individuals are seen to take extremely long periods to master any form of language and at times fail at all (Laviolette, 243).This is very strong supporting evidence for the existence of a critical period. Secondly, there is the aspect of deaf children; deaf children of all ages are taught in sign language. Scientific works have shown that even though children of all ages are able to learn sign language effectively at any age. Those who are exposed to sign language at early age become better performers in comparison to those who get exposure latter. This study clearly demonstrates that a correlation exists between age and language mastery abilities. This study provides a very important point in support for the existence of a critical period where learning is achieved more efficiently (Fletcher et al. 67). Studies conducted on second language learners show considerable truth on the subject of a critical period. The ability to learn a language reduces with age; this is clearly seen in children where they are able to learn a language well as compared to adults even though the adult might have various advantages over them. Children also show a higher ability to grasp a second language as compared grownups. The study is thus a strong indicator that there is a critical period and its impact on learning abilities (Bailey, 72). All these evidences on the possibility of a critical period have come under scrutiny from various quarters. The study done on feral children has often been dismissed as not sufficiently accurate to prove the critical period phenomenon. Any individual who has been kept in isolation will suffer from various other challenges including mental and emotional instability. These problems may greatly contribute to an individual’s inability to learn any new concept irrespective of their age (Waldfogel, 45).The ability of adults to fully master and speak a second language weakens further the arguments for the existence of a critical period. Many scholars have differed on whether the acquisition of language is by nurture or nature. Majority of the tests done, however, revolve around the nature argument, which is fronted by the critical period proponents (Waldfogel, 45). Evidence from research has shown that nature plays a key role when it comes to language acquisition. Supporters of the critical period argue that; at a certain time during a child’s development the brain becomes increasingly responsive to the presence of certain stimulations. In case the child fails to respond to the stimulations, that part of the brain becomes dormant or is allocated to other activities. This causes difficulty in learning a new language as people age (Laviolette, 43). This is supported by many studies; a study on feral children, these children having not been exposed to a language at the right time fail to master speech when taught at a later stage. The period when the brain showed a strong desire to acquire language had passed without getting the relevant response. The brain must have then shut down these senses and developed others. There is also a study on deaf children and ability to study a second language (Laviolette, 23).All these studies have been conducted in support of the critical period. Nature is thus seen to be a less important aspect that influences the ability to learn a language. The arguments for nurture are very weak; an adult who learns a new language is unable to have the same level of mastery as a child. The adult will also face challenges with pronunciation of words. There is, therefore, a period during which the brain learns language naturally (Bailey, 92). Works cited Bailey, Donald B. Critical Thinking About Critical Periods. Baltimore [u.a.: Brookes, 2001. Print. Fletcher, Paul, and Jon F. Miller. Developmental Theory and Language Disorders. Amsterdam: John Benjamins Pub, 2005. Internet resource. Laviolette, Matthew J. A Determination of Critical Periods in Development at the Drosophila Larval Neuromuscular Junction. Ottawa: Library and Archives Canada = Bibliothèque et Archives Canada, 2009. Print. Waldfogel, Jane. What Children Need. Cambridge, Mass. [u.a.: Harvard Univ. Press, 2006. Print. Read More