13.4 Theories of language development: Skinner and Chomsky
Introduction
Language acquisition is a complex process that has fascinated linguists and psychologists for decades. How do children learn to understand and speak a language? What factors influence this process? In this module, we will explore the different theories of language acquisition and their central ideas.
Behaviourist Theory
The behaviourist theory of language acquisition was proposed by B.F. Skinner in the 1950s. According to this theory, children learn language through imitation and reinforcement. They imitate the speech they hear from adults and are rewarded when they produce correct utterances. The key points of this theory are:
- Children learn language through imitation and reinforcement.
- Correct utterances are reinforced when children get what they want or are praised.
- The environment plays a crucial role in shaping a child’s language development.
Innateness Theory
The innateness theory of language acquisition was proposed by Noam Chomsky in the 1960s. According to this theory, children have an innate ability to learn language. They are born with a Language Acquisition Device (LAD) that contains special mechanisms for processing linguistic information. The key points of this theory are:
- Children have an innate ability to learn language.
- The LAD contains special mechanisms for processing linguistic information.
- Language acquisition is biologically determined.
Cognitive Theory
The cognitive theory of language acquisition was proposed by Jean Piaget in the 1970s. According to this theory, language is just one aspect of a child’s overall intellectual development. Children develop their understanding of the world around them through their interactions with it, including their interactions with other people who speak the same language as them. The key points of this theory are:
- Language is just one aspect of a child’s overall intellectual development.
- Children develop their understanding of the world around them through their interactions with it.
- Language development is closely linked to cognitive development.
Interaction Theory
The interaction theory of language acquisition was proposed by Lev Vygotsky in the 1930s. According to this theory, language development is a social process that occurs through interactions between children and their caregivers. Children learn language by engaging in conversations with adults and other children. The key points of this theory are:
- Language development is a social process.
- Children learn language through interactions with adults and other children.
- Caregivers play a crucial role in shaping a child’s language development.
Comparing the Theories
| Theory | Central Idea | Key Points |
|---|---|---|
| Behaviourist Theory | Children learn language through imitation and reinforcement. | – Correct utterances are reinforced when children get what they want or are praised. – The environment plays a crucial role in shaping a child’s language development. |
| Innateness Theory | Children have an innate ability to learn language. | – The LAD contains special mechanisms for processing linguistic information. – Language acquisition is biologically determined. |
| Cognitive Theory | Language is just one aspect of a child’s overall intellectual development. | – Children develop their understanding of the world around them through their interactions with it. – Language development is closely linked to cognitive development. |
| Interaction Theory | Language development is a social process that occurs through interactions between children and their caregivers. | – Children learn language through interactions with adults and other children. – Caregivers play a crucial role in shaping a child’s language development. |
It is important to note that these theories are not mutually exclusive. In fact, many researchers believe that a combination of these theories provides a more comprehensive understanding of how children learn to speak. For example, while children may have an innate ability to learn language, their environment and interactions with caregivers also play a crucial role in shaping their language development.
Empirical Evidence
Over the years, researchers have conducted numerous studies to test these different theories of language acquisition. Here are some key findings:
- Behaviourist Theory: While reinforcement and imitation do play a role in language acquisition, they cannot fully explain how children learn to speak. Children often produce novel utterances that they have not heard before, suggesting that they are not simply imitating what they hear.
- Innateness Theory: Studies have shown that infants as young as two months old can distinguish between different speech sounds from different languages. This suggests that they have some innate ability to process linguistic information.
- Cognitive Theory: Research has shown that there is a strong correlation between a child’s cognitive development and their language development. Children who perform well on cognitive tasks tend to have better language skills.
- Interaction Theory: Studies have shown that children who engage in more conversations with adults tend to have better language skills than those who do not.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding how children learn to speak is a complex process that involves multiple factors. The behaviourist theory highlights the role of reinforcement and imitation, while the innateness theory emphasises biological factors such as the LAD. The cognitive theory focuses on the relationship between language and cognitive development, while the interaction theory highlights the social nature of language acquisition. While each theory offers a different perspective, a combination of these theories provides a more comprehensive understanding of how children learn to speak.
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