Learning Abilities
Besides the obvious common sense explanation - that someone interested in languages and sufficiently developed intellectually to become capable of optimizing his learning technique with experience will become more and more efficient with each new language learned, and therefore acquire them with less and less effort on average, there are several more exotic theories as to why some people learn many languages with relative ease, while others struggle learning even one foreign language. One theory is that a spike in testosterone levels while in the uterus can increase brain asymmetry. Others have suggested that becoming a polyglot has nothing to do with such factors and is actually just about hard work, which any adult can apply despite not being naturally talented. The neuroscientist Katrin Amunts studied the brain of Emil Krebs and determined that the area of Krebs' brain responsible for language —Broca's area— was organised differently than in monolinguals.
Read more about this topic: Polyglotism
Famous quotes containing the words learning and/or abilities:
“Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.”
—Bible: New Testament Acts, 26:24.
Said by Festus, the Roman Procurator.
“Who can measure the advantages that would result if the magnificent abilities of these women could be devoted to the needs of government, society and home, instead of being consumed in the struggle to obtain their birthright of individual freedom? Until this be gained we can never know, we can not even prophesy the capacity and power of women for the uplifting of humanity.”
—Susan B. Anthony (1820–1906)