7.1 Theories of Language Acquisition

Language acquisition is a fascinating process that's sparked various theories. From nativist ideas about innate abilities to behaviorist views on learning through reinforcement, each perspective offers unique insights into how we develop language skills.

These theories connect to broader concepts of child development. They explore how factors like biology, cognition, and social interaction shape our ability to communicate, providing a foundation for understanding language growth throughout childhood.

Theories of Language Acquisition

Nativist and Cognitive Theories

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  Co-Evolution of Language and of the Language Acquisition Device - ACL Anthology View original

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• Nativism proposes that humans are born with an innate ability to acquire language
  • Noam Chomsky, a prominent linguist, developed this theory
  • Suggests that the human brain has a built-in mechanism for learning language (Language Acquisition Device or LAD)
  • LAD contains a set of universal grammatical rules (Universal Grammar) that are common to all languages
• Cognitive Theory emphasizes the role of cognitive development in language acquisition
  • Jean Piaget, a Swiss psychologist, proposed that language develops in parallel with cognitive development
  • As children develop cognitively, their language skills also improve
  • Suggests that language acquisition is a part of overall intellectual development (sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational stages)

Behaviorist and Social Interactionist Theories

• Behaviorism suggests that language is learned through reinforcement and imitation
  • B.F. Skinner, a psychologist, proposed that language is learned through operant conditioning
  • Children learn language by imitating the speech of adults and receiving positive reinforcement for correct usage
  • Environmental factors, such as praise or correction, shape language development
• Social Interactionism emphasizes the role of social interaction in language acquisition
  • Lev Vygotsky, a Russian psychologist, proposed that language develops through social interactions with more knowledgeable others (parents, caregivers, peers)
  • Children learn language through engaging in meaningful social interactions and conversations
  • Scaffolding, or providing support and guidance during language learning, is a key concept in this theory

Key Concepts in Language Acquisition

Language Acquisition Device (LAD) and Universal Grammar

• Language Acquisition Device (LAD) is a hypothetical brain mechanism proposed by Noam Chomsky
  • LAD is an innate biological structure in the brain that enables children to acquire language
  • It contains a set of universal grammatical rules (Universal Grammar) that are common to all languages
  • LAD allows children to understand the underlying structure of language and generate grammatically correct sentences
• Universal Grammar is a set of linguistic principles that are common to all human languages
  • Includes rules for word order, grammatical categories (nouns, verbs, adjectives), and sentence structure
  • Enables children to acquire language quickly and efficiently, regardless of the specific language they are exposed to
  • Supports the idea that language acquisition is an innate human ability

Critical Period Hypothesis

• Critical Period Hypothesis suggests that there is a limited window of time during which language acquisition occurs most naturally and effortlessly
  • Proposed by Eric Lenneberg, a linguist and neurologist
  • Typically extends from infancy to puberty (around age 12)
  • During this period, the brain has the greatest plasticity and is most receptive to language input
  • After the critical period, language acquisition becomes more difficult and less successful (as seen in cases of feral children or individuals learning a second language later in life)