Language Acquisition Language is human specific Critical Period in First Language Acquisition of L1 is impaired after puberty Critical Period in Second Language Acquisition of L2 is impaired after puberty Evolution of Language Gestures were importantLanguage Acquisition • Language is human specific • Critical Period in First Language: – Acquisition of L1 is impaired after puberty • Critical Period in Second Language: – Acquisition of L2 is impaired after puberty Evolution of Language: – Gestures were important