Kids do in fact have an easier time pronouncing syllables they hear about them. And from about age 3 it starts going downhill. At 9 it’s near impossible to learn to speak a new language without accent.
I’ve heard that it’s until 12~14, depending on exposure.
I know people who moved to Canada from countries with little exposure at or after the age of 9 who still speak their mother tongue at home, and yet have no accent at all when speaking English. A very linguistically different language from English, at that.
I agree, but things like “Sp”, is that common in italian? I’m not sure but I’m thinking not. It’s interesting and now I need someone with an Italian toddler to chip in.
Kids do in fact have an easier time pronouncing syllables they hear about them. And from about age 3 it starts going downhill. At 9 it’s near impossible to learn to speak a new language without accent.
I’ve heard that it’s until 12~14, depending on exposure.
I know people who moved to Canada from countries with little exposure at or after the age of 9 who still speak their mother tongue at home, and yet have no accent at all when speaking English. A very linguistically different language from English, at that.
I agree, but things like “Sp”, is that common in italian? I’m not sure but I’m thinking not. It’s interesting and now I need someone with an Italian toddler to chip in.