Language Acquisition Theories

Language Acquisition Theories

Noam Chomsky - 1965

• Nativist theory 
• Chomsky believed that: 
  > The ability to learn to speak is innate.
  > We have an inbuilt capacity ("blueprint") to acquire language
  > Children everywhere seem to acquire language at a similar pace and rate of development
  > Children use more language than they need and sometimes resist correction
  > All human languages share many similarities: "universal grammar/liguistic universals" 
• Created LAD (Language Acquisition Device): the belief that the human brain has an inbuilt capacity to acquire language.

Lenneberg - 1967

• Nativist theory
• Critical Period Hypothesis: without linguistic interaction before the ages 5-6, language development is severley limited.

B.F.Skinner - 1957

• Behaviourist theory
• He believed that language is acquired through imitation, repetition, social interaction as well as positive and negative reinforcement.
• Positive reinforcement: praising e.g. well done
    rewards e.g. giving the child a biscuit or a hug
• Negative reinforcement: punishment
     denying positive comments
     school: telling…