Grammar Theories Flashcards
Chomsky
Linguist Noam Chomsky’s innateness theory suggests that children have an in built mental device that allows them to expand their language. Have the capacity to formulate unique and original utterances. This contradicts Skinners theory so it suggests these grammatical utterances have not been learnt through imitation. For example “sheeps” “goed” not imitated.
Skinner
Caretakers shape children’s words into sentences by selectively reinforcing those that are correct.
Jean Berko Gleason
Linguist Jean Berko Gleason created the WUG test to decide whether children had inbuilt abilities to apply grammatical rules by using made up creatures and asking them certain questions. For example, this is a WUG, accompanied by a drawing, now there are two —-. Children could apply the rules, suggesting this is what they learn, rather than simply memorising specific constructions.
Piaget
Psychologist Jean Piaget investigated the correlation between linguistic ability and cognitive capacity. Found that the development of language is closely connected to psychology abilities. For example, the sensori motor phases where children learn to classify experiences of the physical world, without awareness of abstract concepts. However, as the child grows older, they develop awareness from these experiences with evidence in the form of size comparison and tacticle sensations to express the concepts.
