First Language, Second Language, Third...

In AP Psychology, my teacher was reviewing over the unit of language for the AP Psychology exam that's coming up in a week or two. He explained the concept of Chomsky's language acquisition theory which basically states that there is a critical age for learning a language as is true for the overall development of the human body. This critical period for first language acquisition ends somewhere between the ages of four and twelve. If you miss this critical period or if language input doesn't occur until after this time, a person will have a hard time learning the language normally. Therefore, some parents who want their child to learn more than one language smoothly often teach their child at a young age. Once we acquire our first language, many people go on to learn a second language in middle school or even as early as elementary school. However, if a child is not exposed to the second language during the critical period while learning the first language. The child will more than likely loose or forget the second language. When people learn another language later on in life after the critical period, they run into many problems. Learning a second language is a very hard thing for many people. As you may know, each language contains its own system of rules in syntax and speech patterns. This means that words have to be pooled in a specific order to produce a sentence that could be understood by all people who speak that particular language. For example, the standard syntax order in English is subject-verb-object, while in another language like Korean it is subject-object-verb. 


When people learn their first language, there is no intervention from any other language system. However, once we know how a language works, our comprehension of the speech and grammar of that language tends to intervene with our acquisition of the rule system of the second language. We can make this process easier if we evaluate the speech and grammar rules of the new language to those of our first language system.   By being aware of the differences between two or even three languages it decreases the problem of first language interference. Therefore, we can be successfully learn the language by using our knowledge of one language to help us learn a second language. This point brings us back to the importance of one's mother language and my post about never being too late to learn a language. Even if you passed that critical stage to learn your mother language or initial first language, you can still learn the language and be able to achieve near fluency. When you learn another language past the critical period, you will more than likely not forget or lose the ability to speak the language. Therefore, for anybody who is having any doubts about learning their mother language or another language, you still have time. Although its better to learn a language at a young age, learning a language at any age whether you're in your twenties or even hitting close to your fiftieth birthday. The door to foreign languages is always open for anyone who's willing to take a chance. 

Racism? Is it becoming a problem?

   

Even though the topic of racism is not directly related to the importance of your mother tongue, I think it’s a really important issue that should be discussed.

As an Asian American, I've had my share of teasing and discrimination whether it’s been direct or indirect discrimination. I'm not sharing this to gain any sympathy or remorse; I'm stating this to let you know that I've personally gone through racism. I'm not mad at the people who tease or have teased me because it’s a part of human nature. Racism is a problem that can get out of hand and often unbearable for many people. It doesn't matter what color, race, or even how you look. People will tease you if you don't look different or if you're just a certain race. I see it every day at school, in public and around the community. When I hear inspirational speeches about stopping racism and spreading awareness, it’s just not possible. It’s like trying to stop global warming but you can't because all you can do is slow it down. Oftentimes, racism happens because people are not educated or open to different cultures. This is where the importance of your mother tongue comes in. People who know more than one language are often open to different cultures and people rather than people who only know one language. When people learn another language, they also learn the culture of the country. A language's grammar and talk is influenced by a lot by the culture. I know many people may disagree with me on my views on racism saying "oh, what are you talking about? I don't see any of the things you point out."

Another reason why people may discriminate others is personal. If a person didn't have a very good experience with a person of a certain race than that often creates racism and discrimination. But that doesn't mean you should treat all people of that race badly in any way. I'm not saying that I don't discriminate people too because I do too. I'm not going to deny it. Everyone is a racist. Racism in the ideational sense is when people draw up stereotypes and label people a certain way by the color of their skin or what their ethnicity is. Racism hurts everyone and it will just get worse if this generation or the next is not educated or informed about this. The older generation often times passes on their opinions and views to the next generation toxic feelings towards one another. I'm sure all of this probably doesn't make any sense so here's an example. If you know anything about the history of Korea, you know that Korea was often invaded by China and Japan for centuries. From 1910-1945 Korea was under Japanese rule as part of Japan's 35-year imperialist expansion, a period that many older-generation Koreans don't like to look back on . During this dark time in history, Koreans were forced to take up Japanese names, learn the language, and stripped of anything Korean for that matter. I used this example to explain how the opinions and views of the older generation who bring up the next generation can influence their views and spread racism. 

“Racism is man's gravest threat to man - the maximum of hatred for a minimum of reason." -Abraham J. Heschel 

Racism is the deadliest weapon human kind can possess but we can change that by spreading awareness one step at a time. 

Does it matter?

As an older sister to my little brother and sister, I have to set a good example for them. I do what a typical older sister does: steer them away from bad influences and at times pick on them. I often tell them that its important to learn Korean. However, they don't listen to me so for now I've just been pushing them to learn Korean. This how my conversation with them about this matter usually goes:

Lets call my little brother and sister X and Y.

Me: hey, why don't you want to learn Korean?

X and Y: What's the use of learning Korean? We live in America where we only need to know English not Korean. Why don't you stop making a big deal out of nothing. It's not like we're going to live in Korea.

Me: But it's important to know Korean. Even though we are American citizens, we're still Korean. You always have to remember that. Don't ever forget who you are.

X and Y: I know you're trying to help us but we just don't see the point learning Korean now.

Me: It's never too late.

You may be wondering why I bring up a personal matter as this. I bring this point up to explain how important it is not only for me but also for my younger siblings. I don't want them to forget who they are and most importantly their own identity. Nowadays, second generation foreign born koreans are having a hard time finding their own identities whether it's not being able to speak Korean or feeling out of place among other Koreans. I sincerely hope one day my younger siblings will realize how important it is to know Korean. It's not just a language, its what one calls it a way of life.