word
critical period hypothesis
KRIT-ih-kul PEER-ee-ud hy-POTH-eh-sis
ˈkrɪtɪkəl ˈpɪəriəd haɪˈpɒθɪsɪsListen
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Syllable breakdown
criticalperiodhypothesis
Dictionary meaning
the theory that there is a biologically determined window, typically ending around puberty, during which a first or second language can be acquired with native-like proficiency; after this window closes, full linguistic competence becomes significantly harder to achieve, particularly in phonology and syntax
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