Discuss the Nativist Theory of language learning.
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Discuss the Nativist Theory of language learning.
Noam Chomsky (1928-Present) developed the Nativist Theory of language learning in “Syntactic Structures” (1957). It is about language learning. It says humans are born with a special ability for language. Noam Chomsky is the main person behind this theory. He changed the way people think about language. The nativist theory is different from theories that emphasize the environment. Many researchers still use this theory today in their studies.
Basic Concepts: The nativist theory says language is natural for humans. It means children are born with a language tool. This tool helps them recognize language quickly. The tool is not learned but inborn. Children do not start with an empty mind. They already have some rules for language inside. This makes language learning fast, even with little teaching.
Language Acquisition Device (LAD): Chomsky introduced the term Language Acquisition Device, or LAD. The LAD is not a real organ in the brain. It is an idea to explain how children learn languages easily. The LAD helps children make sense of language sounds. It guides them to discover language rules. With LAD, children build grammar step by step. The LAD works for any language spoken at home.
Universal Grammar: Another important idea is universal grammar. Universal grammar means that basic rules are common to all languages. These rules are already present in every child’s mind. Universal grammar helps children learn new languages easily. They do not need to learn every rule from others. They need only simple examples to start. The mind fills in the gaps with its own built-in rules.
Role of the Environment: The nativist theory does not deny that the environment is useful. Children need to hear the language spoken around them. However, the theory says that just hearing language is not enough. The brain’s inborn system is more important. The environment only helps start the process. The brain organizes the rest. This is very different from the behaviourist view. Behaviourists say children learn only by copying what they hear.
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