First language Acquisition Flashcards
language acquisition
for some researchers, most notably Stephen Krashen, acquisition represents ‘unconscious’ internalization
of language knowledge, which takes place when attention is focused on meaning rather than language form
language learning
learning is described as a ‘conscious’ process that occurs when the learner’s objective is to learn about the language itself, rather than to understand messages conveyed through the language
developmental sequence
The order in which certain features of a language (for example, negation) are acquired in language learning. Also called developmental stages or order of acquisition.
Babbling
Starting at about 5-7 months of age, babies making repetitive Consonant Vowel (CV) sounds.
One Word Utterences
One Word Utterences
12-18 months, Single open-class words or word stems.
Two-Word Utterences
18-24 months, “mini-sentences” with simple semantic relations.
Universal grammar
Basic grammatical structures are already encoded in human brains at birth (which has led to all human languages following these structures)
Three Key Components in Chomsky’s Innatist Theory
- Universal Grammar
- LAD (Language Acquisition Device)
- Poverty of Stimulus
Behaviorist Model
B.F. Skinner-language is learned as a direct response to stimuli…reward and punishment.
Nativist Model
Noam Chomsky-children are born with Universal Grammar wired into their brains…principles of language are INNATE
Sociocultural Theory
Vygotsky-language is learned as a result of interpersonal communication and is then internalized as intrApersonal.
Define the LAD
a set of genetically ‘wired’ abilities in children’s brains to enable them to learn language at an early age
Chomsky’s theory of LAD on children made him come to the conclusion they only have to learn what?
- New vocabulary
- Syntactic structures (arrangement of words)
Can children learn a language by copying, according to Chomsky?
No; because the language spoken around them is highly irregular - adults’ speech is often broken up and even sometimes ungrammatical.
What did critics say about Chomsky’s theory?
Although it is clear children do not learn language through imitation alone, this does not prove they must have a LAD - language learning could merely be through general learning and understanding abilities and interactions with other people
