Theresa began studying Japanese when she was in the eighth grade.After many years of study,however,she still speaks Japanese with an accent and lacks perfect fluency.This is probably because ____.
A) she had already passed the critical period of language development when she began studying Japanese
B) she is not genetically "prewired" for Japanese
C) she learned and spoke a number of different dialects
D) she continued to speak English while she was studying Japanese, which blocked acquisition

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The critical period for language development is believed to end around puberty, meaning that it becomes more difficult for individuals to attain native-like fluency in a new language after this point. As Theresa began studying Japanese in the eighth grade, she may have already missed this critical period, which could explain why she still speaks with an accent and lacks perfect fluency. Factors like genetics, exposure to different dialects, and continuing to speak English alongside Japanese may also have played a role, but the fact that she began studying after the critical period is likely the primary reason for her imperfect fluency.

Theresa Began Studying Japanese When She Was in the Eighth