#68. Why Adults Struggle to Learn Languages (and Kids Don’t) - Dr. Kate Messenger

In this in-studio episode of Smooth Brain Society, Sahir and Neil are joined by Dr. Kate Messenger as they explore the fascinating world of language acquisition. They discuss why children seem to pick up languages effortlessly, the challenges adults face when learning new languages, and even how bilingual brains store and mix languages. Expect a lively discussion about the theories behind language learning, including the critical period hypothesis and the role of environmental input, along with humorous takeaways about accents, passive constructions, and the everyday struggles of translating between languages. Tune in for a blend of scientific insight and casual banter that’s as entertaining as it is enlightening. 

Apologies for the audio quality, there were issues with the original file.

Dr. Kate Messenger's profile: https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/psychology/about-us/people/katherine-messenger

Chapters

• 0:00 Introducing Dr. Kate Messenger
• 1:39 Theories of Language Learning
• 13:40 Language Development and Bilingual Children
• 23:09 Language Variation and Accents
• 27:43 Dr. Kate Messenger's Language Research
• 38:03 Language Attrition, Maintenance and Code Switching
• 45:11 Language Learning in Adults
• 55:38 Future Directions in Language Research