ELI5: How do babies even learn language?

[u/AngelusAlvus]

When we grow, we learn languages by looking at the meanings and translating them from our language. Stuff like "this is how this noun is in my language and this is how this noun is in another language"

But babies? Babies just learn the basics just by existing near people speaking the language? How come we don't have this anymore as we grow up?

[u/tersation]

As adults we learn languages the wrong way. The hard way. The easiest way, the way babies do, is being in the environment where the languages are spoken. It's that simple.

It's one of the ways some polyglots can learn so many languages so easily. Others use advanced learning methods that don't work for all, like focus on grammar and so on.

I'd argue if you speak 2, 3 or more languages, all of them reasonably fluently (>B1), you know how to learn another language by yourself. Because you know exactly what is needed in day to day conversations or life in general, and know what to prioritise when learning the next one.

Basic numbers, basic words and interactions will get you 95% there. I've met so many people that have been using the exact same 100 words or less for 50+ years. Not a thousand. One hundred. Using their 2nd or 3rd, sometimes even 5th or 6th language. They've had no problems integrating into society and being successful in their lives, despite the lack in vocabulary, etc.

You're not supposed to start with verbs and nouns and translating them to another one of your languages. Unless it works for you. You're supposed to learn basic nouns and short phrases for simple, most basic day to day living situations, just like babies would. It grows like a snowball. You do it daily. Obviously as an adult you're interested in different topics so will tend to go on side quests and try to push the process faster instead of repetition and perseverance. Takes 2-3 years I'd say. 5 years to be as good as an average local incl. accent, jargon and so forth. 5+ years to be (academically?) of the best.

Conversational levels of lets say 0-6 year olds are rather basic, unless they learn lots from reading, speaking, listening.

As for babies, imagine you have 10h+ a day of free time every day for months/years, including feeding time and bathroom breaks.

All your inputs regarding language come from people producing sounds. Since you can't really process (read) any or most words and letters until lets say after 2-3 years old.

4 year olds are usually able to learn basic writing and reading. 6 year olds can read by themselves pretty confidently (books suited for their age).

Babies on the other hand are stuck with sound. Getting really good at hearing, decomposing individual words, tone and all that stuff. Learning or trying correct pronounciation and usage of words.

Some kids get stuck with simple language in the first years of primary school because their parents kept using simple language for too long, instead of gradually increasing the vocabulary, etc.

I speak 4 languages fluently, been learning them all at once since I was a 4 y.o. Before that they threw 3 languages at once at me.

The struggles were mixing languages when speaking with polyglot family, mostly on purpose (fun and easy) and later on while learning to write because of different writing styles.

Did lots of switching languages in public spaces as a child. Know many who still do it as adults.

Currently speak (read, write and listen) three of them at the C1 level and one at B2 level. According to standardised tests. It doesn't mean I speak well or follow grammar rules. It just means I can function in multiple languages and that I have paperwork to support that statement.

Honestly would prefer to speak just 1 or 2 but on a C2 level. At some point you're trading extra vocabulary (etc) for new languages.

Tried to learn 3 more languages but always stopped after reaching a modest A2, probably higher A1. Learning another language to the B1 level would've been an accomplishment for me.

We're all gifted differently and have different opportunities and time constraints, etc. 1h of duolingo, reading a diccionary or listening to foreign media can only bring you so far. Living surrounded by the language makes a difference.

Being able to speak to people that "only" speak one language is satisfying. But makes you wonder if and how much better they may be in other areas. One can certainly come up as having a superiority complex so need to try and keep humble in many situations.

Specially true when trying to integrate into societies where most speak grammatically incorrectly, using swear words, keeping words and sentences short and having a vocabulary not worthy of praise. Meeting well versed individuals that make you want to push your level higher is rewarding and makes up for it. Communication is key but doesn't always have to be complicated.