Native Language:
* Definition: The language a person learns first and uses most naturally, often from birth. It's the language they are most comfortable with and use intuitively.
* Example: Someone born and raised in Spain, whose native language is Spanish.
Target Language:
* Definition: The language a person is actively learning or intends to learn. It is the language they are aiming to acquire proficiency in.
* Example: The same person from Spain learning English as their target language.
Here's a simple analogy:
* Imagine you're learning to play a new instrument. The instrument you're learning is your target language, while the instrument you already know (if you have any) is your native language.
Key Differences:
* Familiarity: Native language is highly familiar, while target language is initially unfamiliar.
* Fluency: Native language is generally spoken fluently, while target language proficiency is acquired gradually.
* Thought process: Native language is used for intuitive thinking, while target language requires conscious effort at first.
In a nutshell, the native language is the language we are born into, while the target language is the language we are actively trying to learn.