Theories Of Language Aquisition

Question 1

Behaviourist theory

Answer 1

• Skinner
• language is acquired by conditioning (child is imitating sounds around them based on whether they receive approval/punishment)
• virtuous errors are an example to disprove this as it shows children do not imitate exactly

Question 2

Language Acquisition Device (LAD)

Answer 2

• Noam Chomsky
• Human brain has an innate ability to learn language
• children born with an instinct for universal grammar
• the “device” must be activated at a critical period of the child’s life

Question 3

Language Acquisition Support System (LASS)

Answer 3

• Jerome Bruner

- caretaker language must have an impact