Why Did Genie Never Fully Learn to Speak?

Explore Genie's case and the critical period hypothesis in language acquisition.

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Genie, a feral child, never fully learned to speak. Despite intensive therapy, she acquired limited language skills but did not achieve complete fluency. Her case highlights the critical period hypothesis, emphasizing the importance of early exposure to language for normal development.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What is the critical period hypothesis? The critical period hypothesis suggests there is a crucial time window for language acquisition, typically in early childhood.
  2. What are feral children? Feral children are individuals who have lived isolated from human contact, leading to significant developmental challenges.
  3. How did Genie communicate? Genie used limited language skills acquired through therapy but never achieved full fluency.
  4. What lessons can be learned from Genie's case? Genie's case underscores the importance of early language exposure for normal cognitive and social development.