Language Acquisition Theories
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Questions and Answers

What is the predominant theory that explains how humans learn language?

  • Humans learn language through a process of memorizing words and understanding their meanings.
  • Humans learn language by 'inventing' the rules specific to their language.
  • Humans learn language through observation and imitation.
  • Humans are born with an innate ability to acquire language. (correct)

    • According to the innateness hypothesis, children are born with knowledge of specific language patterns.

    False (B)

    What are the two early theories of language acquisition that have been refuted?

    Imitation Theory and Reinforcement Theory

    Which theory is considered the most influential in explaining language acquisition?

    <p>Active Construction of a Grammar Theory (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the innate set of structural characteristics shared by all languages called?

    <p>Universal Grammar</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What evidence supports the claim that language ability is innate in humans?

    <p>All of the above (E)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The term 'critical period' refers to a specific time frame during which language acquisition is most effective but not absolutely necessary.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the specific age range that is generally accepted as the critical period for language acquisition?

    <p>From birth to approximately the onset of puberty</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the two main sources of evidence for the existence of a critical period in language acquisition?

    <p>Studies of feral and neglected children (C), Studies of deaf children and adults (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the name of the sign language developed by deaf children in Nicaragua?

    <p>Idioma de Signos Nicaragense (ISN)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The creation of ISN supports the innateness hypothesis because it shows that children can invent new languages without prior exposure to a complete system.

    <p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Innate Language Ability

    The idea that humans are born with the capacity to learn language.

    Language Acquisition

    The process by which humans learn to understand and use language.

    Universal Grammar

    A set of basic structural characteristics thought to be common to all languages.

    Linguistic Universals

    Concepts like 'noun' and 'verb' that are fundamental to all languages.

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    Language Development Stages

    The predictable sequences of steps in learning language, from babbling to complex sentences.

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    Babbling

    An early stage of language development, consisting of experimenting with sounds.

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    One-Word Stage

    A stage in language development when children express their needs with single words.

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    Two-Word Stage

    A stage where children combine two words to form simple sentences.

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    Morphology

    The study of word formation, including prefixes and suffixes.

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    Syntax

    The rules of sentence structure.

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    Second Language Acquisition

    The process of learning a language after the first.

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    Imitation Theory

    An outdated language acquisition theory that suggests children copy language they hear.

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    Reinforcement Theory

    An outdated language acquisition theory that suggests children learn through rewards and punishments.

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    Active Construction of a Grammar

    A language acquisition theory focusing on children actively discovering language rules.

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    Connectionist Theories

    Language acquisition theories positing that our brains create connections between words, sounds, and concepts.

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    Social Interaction Theory

    Language acquisition theory focusing on the role of social interactions in language learning.

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    Word Meaning Acquisition

    The process of understanding the meaning of words as language and context develop.

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    Study Notes

    Language Acquisition

    • Languages are complex systems
    • Humans learn language, potentially through innate rules
    • Children go through stages of development (babbling, one-word, two-word, etc.)
    • Second language acquisition can differ from first-language acquisition

    Theories of Language Acquisition

    • Innateness hypothesis is a prominent theory
    • This theory suggests humans are born with language capacity and ability to create rules
    • Other theories include imitation and reinforcement, but these have been refuted
    • Active Construction of a Grammar Theory is a prominent current theory
    • Connectionist Theories and Social Interaction Theory are other relevant theories

    Innateness Hypothesis

    • Language ability is innate in humans
    • Humans have a genetic predisposition to learn language
    • Innate knowledge that language has patterns and ability to find patterns
    • Language is understood in terms of linguistic universals
    • Universal grammar is the inborn set of structural characteristics shared by all languages
    • This innate ability is supported by the work of biologist Eric Lenneberg
    • He argued that learned behavior differs from certain biologically controlled behaviors, which suggest a genetic component for language.

    Critical Period Hypothesis

    • There is a critical period for language acquisition between birth and puberty
    • Language exposure during this period is crucial for development of language structures
    • Limited or no exposure might result in difficulties or inability to acquire normal language skills
    • Evidence from feral or neglected children support critical period hypothesis but may have confounding variables like abuse

    Cases of Genie and Isabelle

    • Genie (discovered when 14): severe language delay due to abuse and isolation
    • Isabelle (discovered at 6.5): less severe delay due to isolation in non-abusive environment
    • These cases support critical period/innateness theory to some extent but confounding factors present, therefore difficult to fully support.

    Deaf Children

    • Deaf children who grow up with homesign (communicative gesture), eventually develop sophisticated language and grammatical systems from these signs - This demonstrates language development without explicit formal language knowledge.

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    Language Acquisition PDF

    Description

    Explore the complexities of language acquisition through various theories including the Innateness Hypothesis and Active Construction of Grammar. This quiz will guide you through stages of development in both first and second language learning. Test your understanding of key concepts and theories in linguistics.

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