Answer to Question #235281 in English for KAT

Question

What is the difference between First Language (11) and Second Language (L2)? Discuss?

Answer 1

A first language (L1) is a person's mother tongue or native language. The first language is like an instinct triggered by birth and developed with the experience of being exposed to it. Therefore, one cannot decide their first language. In contrast, a second language (L2) is a language a person chooses to communicate with the native speaker of that language. Speaking a second is a personal choice. For example, a person or a community can choose a second language among other languages. In most cases, the first language is acquired while the second language is learned. Acquisition of the first language is very rapid, while retaining the second language can vary; hence cannot be as quick as the first language.