thinking about native languages

I recently started a language class for my 5th language (not programing). It's been a while since I learned a new language, and this time I picked a language that is readily accessible: Korean. I sometimes watch Korean dramas, listen to K pop, and I happen to have a conversation partner who kinda knows Korean but not really.

I was reflecting on all the languages I know and realized that I wouldn't know how to teach languages I picked up natively, but would have no problem teaching a language that I learned non-natively. And that got me thinking about what it means to formally learn a native language, and a non-native language. For instance does it make sense to insist on hiring native speakers?

With native languages, I speak them before I know how to read and write them. My vocabulary and grammar were learned before I could understand how I knew them. There are other definitions of native language, but for this example, it is obvious. A non-native language is a language I had to learn formally. Before going to language class, I couldn't express myself in this language. What is worse is that I have to actively search for a place to apply my newfound language ability.

I wonder if it is impossible now to learn a language using native means since I wouldn't even know how to start picking things up. The closest possibility is to learn a language while needing to use it. In many cases, people pick up a language hoping to eventually use it. It all works.

I tried to read up on how babies learn a language (see the article on Deb Roy in Wired). It seems like parents tend to focus on one thing for an extended period of time. It wasn't a helpful article. I'll have to browse around a bit more. Let me know if you have any good references.

From the Department of What Were They Thinking

Windows had a pop-up window thing morning, asking me if I wanted to install some Genuine Windows program. The point of the program? To check whether my software is real, and if it's not the genuine version, it will have periodic reminders for me to do the right thing.

Really? So it happens that my version of Windows is real, so I guess I am not installing that. And if my version of Windows were not real, I'm not installing some nasty pop-up thing either. Whoever thought of this was clearly not really thinking.