Children learn/study English

[englishhobby]

Can we replace 'learn' with 'study' without any change of meaning in this particular sentence?
Children learn English from an early age in most European countries.

 

[jutfrank]

No. Of course, there will be some change of meaning if you replace one word with a different word. However, you're right that in this context, the writer is really talking about education systems and the age at which children begin to receive instruction. The act of learning is (probably) not really relevant to the point.

 

[GoesStation]

Large numbers of students study a subject without really learning it.

 

[englishhobby]

Large numbers of students study a subject without really learning it.

How is it possible? :-? Do you mean they just attend the university without making any effort to gain knowledge?

 

[englishhobby]

Can I say "I've studied the lines of this poem (play), but I haven't learned them"?

 

[probus]

Can I say "I've studied the lines of this poem (play), but I haven't learned them"?

Yes. In that context, learned means rote memorization. And in response to your other question, in my experience some students (including me in my youth) attend university to party and drink beer rather than to learn.

 

[GoesStation]

How is it possible? :-? Do you mean they just attend the university without making any effort to gain knowledge?

That happens a lot. But foreign language is a great example of an area where a lot of study often doesn't bring learning. Many people just don't have the aptitude or don't study long enough to come close to actually learning the language they study.

 

[probus]

Sometimes a nodding acquaintance with a language is all people need. My wife is Indian and I've spent a lot of time in India, where the educated classes all speak English. In order to deal with vendors in the market, taxi drivers and and other less educated people I've learnt a little Hindi. Left, right, straight ahead, and the names of foods are just about all I know or need to know.

 

[englishhobby]

Yes. In that context, learned means rote memorization. And in response to your other question, in my experience some students (including me in my youth) attend university to party and drink beer rather than to learn.

Yes, here in Russsia we also have a similar problem with students (the only difference might be that students do not party a lot, they just ignore the assignments for some reason or other). So 'to study' can only mean 'to be a sudent', 'to go to/attend' or 'be officially enrolled into' in some contexts, right? (We have a similar use of the word which is equivalent to 'study': 'to study' = 'to be a student').

 

[5jj]

So 'to study' can only mean 'to be a student', 'to go to/attend' or 'be officially enrolled into' in some contexts, right?.

No.

Look up study in a couple of the dictionaries at www.onelook.com. You'll find that it has a range of possible meanings.