Most psychologists and linguists believe that human have a natural ability to learn language until about age 12 or 13. After that age, they cannot learn a new language as well as their original language. But how can we prove this theory?
One answer is Genie. Genie was a girl who spent all her childhood in a small, dark room. Her parents locked her in there and never talked to her. When she was rescued, she was 12 years old and could not talk at all. Many people were interested. Could she learn language, even though she knew nothing?
She learned some words, but she never learned grammar. For example, she could say "Me milk" or "House Want Go" but she never became more advanced. This seemed to prove the theory that language must be learned by age 12 or 13, or else a child will never be able to fully master it.
Chimpanzees
Some chimpanzees have been able to learn some language.1. Washoe learned 130 signs in American Sign Language (normally used by deaf people).
2. Nim Chimsky learned 150 signs in sign language.
3. Kanzi learned 360 words using a special keyboard system.
However, chimps do not understand much grammar, and their abilities are only about as good as a 2.5-year-old human.
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