Theories of Language Acquisition

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What is the primary focus of language acquisition theories in the English Language?

to understand and explain how the language acquisition process begins and progresses

Which theorist is associated with the Cognitive Theory of language acquisition?

Jean Piaget

What is the core idea of the Behavioural Theory of language acquisition?

that children have no internal mechanism or ability to develop language by themselves and are a product of their environment

What is the name of the theory that suggests that humans have an innate ability to acquire language?

Nativist Theory Signup and view all the answers

Which theory of language acquisition emphasizes the role of interaction between the child and their environment?

Interactionist Theory Signup and view all the answers

How many main theories of language acquisition are typically recognized in the English Language?

4 Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism by which children learn language according to BF Skinner?

Imitation of caregivers and modification through operant conditioning Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of positive reinforcement in language acquisition according to Skinner's theory?

To encourage correct language use by providing rewards or approval Signup and view all the answers

How does negative reinforcement contribute to language learning in children?

By teaching children to avoid mistakes and correct them Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome of operant conditioning in language acquisition, according to Skinner?

Modification of language use based on rewards or punishment Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of operant conditioning in language acquisition, as described in the text?

A caregiver rewarding a child with food when they make a correct request Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between operant conditioning and language acquisition, according to Skinner's theory?

Operant conditioning shapes language acquisition through reinforcement and punishment Signup and view all the answers

According to Skinner's operant conditioning theory, what is the primary driver of language acquisition?

Environment and external stimuli Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary assumption of Jean Piaget's theory of language acquisition?

Children are born with relatively little cognitive ability, but their minds develop and build new schemas as they age and experience the world Signup and view all the answers

What is the process of fitting new information into what is already known, according to Piaget's theory?

Assimilation Signup and view all the answers

Why did Piaget believe that cognitive development had to come before language development?

It would be impossible for children to express things that they don't yet understand Signup and view all the answers

What is the stage of cognitive development during which children begin to use symbols and language to represent the world, according to Piaget?

Preoperational stage Signup and view all the answers

What is the final stage of cognitive development, during which children develop the ability to think abstractly and reason logically, according to Piaget?

Formal operational stage Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the Language Acquisition Device (LAD) according to Noam Chomsky's theory of language acquisition?

The LAD serves as an encoder that provides a baseline understanding of grammatical structure. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between Chomsky's Nativist theory and Bruner's Interactionist theory of language acquisition?

Chomsky's Nativist theory suggests that language acquisition is primarily biological and innate, while Bruner's Interactionist theory emphasizes the role of interaction with caregivers or teachers in language development. Signup and view all the answers

According to Chomsky, what evidence supports the idea that language acquisition is biological and not purely a product of being taught or copying caregivers?

The independent 'building' of language by children, as they incorporate new words into their use of language. Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the system proposed by Jerome Bruner to support language acquisition, and what is its primary function?

The Language Acquisition Support System (LASS), which provides regular interaction with caregivers or teachers to facilitate language development. Signup and view all the answers

What does Chomsky suggest is contained in the Language Acquisition Device (LAD)?

Knowledge of universal grammar, which includes the basic shared grammar rules that all human languages share. Signup and view all the answers

What is the implication of Chomsky's theory that children can devise a system of verbal communication even if they are not educated in their country's language?

There must be an innate, biological component to language acquisition. Signup and view all the answers

What is the key assumption underlying Chomsky's nativist theory of language acquisition, and how does it impact our understanding of language development?

The key assumption is that children are born with a 'device' in the brain, which acts as an encoder for language acquisition. This assumption suggests that there is an innate capacity for language acquisition, and that language development is driven by an internal mechanism rather than solely by external factors. Signup and view all the answers

How does Chomsky's universal grammar theory propose to explain the similarities and differences between languages?

Chomsky's universal grammar theory proposes that there are core characteristics of language that are consistent across all languages, such as the use of verbs and nouns, and that these characteristics are innate to the human brain. Signup and view all the answers

What are the key differences between Chomsky's nativist theory and the other main theories of language acquisition, and how do they approach the role of innate versus environmental factors in language development?

Chomsky's nativist theory emphasizes the role of innate factors, proposing that children are born with a language acquisition device. In contrast, the Behavioural Theory emphasizes the role of environmental factors, while the Cognitive Theory emphasizes the role of cognitive processes, and the Interactionist Theory emphasizes the interaction between the child and their environment. Signup and view all the answers

How do the contributions of theorists such as Piaget, Chomsky, and Bruner inform our understanding of language development, and what are the implications for language teaching and learning?

These theorists have contributed to our understanding of language development by proposing theories such as constructivism, nativism, and interactionism. These theories have implications for how we approach language teaching and learning, such as emphasizing the role of scaffolding, innate abilities, or interaction in language development. Signup and view all the answers

What are the implications of Chomsky's theory of universal grammar for our understanding of language universals, and how does it inform our understanding of language diversity?

Chomsky's theory of universal grammar proposes that there are core characteristics of language that are consistent across all languages. This has implications for our understanding of language universals, and suggests that despite surface-level differences, languages share a common underlying structure. Signup and view all the answers