7. Universal Grammar Flashcards
What is Universal Grammar Theory?
Universal Grammar Theory is a linguistic concept that suggests all children are born with an innate ability to acquire, develop, and understand language.
What are the three principles of Universal Grammar Theory proposed by Chomsky?
- Universality of language
- Convergence
- Poverty of stimulus
Explain the principle of “Universality of language” in Universal Grammar Theory.
Universality of language suggests that all languages share deep similarities at their core, allowing humans to learn any language easily.
How does “Convergence” relate to Universal Grammar Theory?
Convergence indicates that languages with similar characteristics, such as Romance languages, are easier for individuals to understand due to shared grammar rules and word conjugations.
What does the “Poverty of stimulus” principle in Universal Grammar Theory imply?
The “Poverty of stimulus” principle argues that language recognition must be built into the brain since it’s not possible for children to learn their native language purely through exposure to it.
Why has Universal Grammar Theory been met with controversy?
Universal Grammar Theory has faced controversy because some argue that languages are diverse and constantly changing, and that the brain may only possess general abilities at birth.
How does research support Universal Grammar Theory
Research has shown that infants can differentiate words from non-words based on sentence structure, tonal cues, and word transitions, supporting the idea that language comprehension is innate.
What is the significance of phonemes in the context of Universal Grammar Theory?
Phonemes are the smallest units of speech used to distinguish one word from others, and they demonstrate how infants can recognize differences in language sounds, even if they don’t understand the words themselves.
How does Universal Grammar Theory explain the early language development of children?
Universal Grammar Theory posits that children are naturally programmed to develop grammatical skills from a young age, even without direct exposure to linguistic stimuli.
