-- [ Picked text/plain from multipart/alternative ] In a message dated 11/17/2002 8:45:26 PM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
> In any case, it is well to differentiate a) learning a second language > from b) pronouncing new phonemes correctly, as a native speaker would. As > in learning horn technique, practice helps. Millions of adults acquire > passable knowledge of a second language, even if their pronounciation > isn't on the mark. How is learning a second language different from > learning new words in one's native language? > > I've read articles summarizing recent studies that show that the brain has two distinct "explosive" developmental stages - just after birth (1-2 years), and for a few years after the onset of puberty. I also read that the language acquisition part of the brain is different for primary language and all secondary languages. This is perfectly in keeping with my own experience. I learned French in high school and Czech as an adult in my 30's. Unfortunately, I don't really maintain either language, so that when I'm called on to speak either I will inadvertantly mix up the two, but my brain will mainly reach for the French words, which I know better. Never a problem like this with English. Now contrast that with playing musical instruments. I can play (ha! some would argue with that statement) many instruments, at least scales, and I've learned them all throughout my life at various times. I never ever have a problem going from one to the other and playing each in its own key, with its own fingering, etc. Horn I can finger almost equally as well as tuba or trumpet, even though changing hands. I can put those down and immediately pick up a flute or clarinet and play a scale or two without any thinking, and then go to the key board. Why is that? Has anyone studied this aspect of the brain? Dave Weiner _______________________________________________ Horn mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://music.memphis.edu/mailman/listinfo/horn
