3 421 linguists human subjects reaction martin volk michael kac idea linguists become linguists superior language learners gut reaction must wrong become linguists hard time learning language effortless polyglots pay conscious attention grammar systems rules offer example realized _ _ pretty good language learner always found process frustrating hated learning languages seemed dreary inefficient discovered shortcuts namely syntax phonology morphology etc case generalizable happily messrs volk kac right become linguists skill language learning also rational sort thinks must better efficient way go therefore perceive trouble weird happen way people let hear mark hansell asian lang lit carleton college northfield mn usa