Child Language Acquisition- Chomsky and Nativism

Question 1

LAD (Language Acquisition Device)

Answer 1

As proposed by Chomsky (the idea that all humans are born with an innate language learning capacity).

Question 2

Tabula Rasa

Answer 2

Latin for “blank slate” and the term used to describe the idea that children are born with undeveloped, fresh brains.

Question 3

Universal Grammar

Answer 3

Term coined by Chomsky- the notion that all human languages possess similar grammatical properties which the brain is “hard wired” to be able to decode and use.

Question 4

Virtuous Errors

Answer 4

Grammatical errors that are understandable and logical through an incorrect assumption being made about grammar rules.