nature theories

Question 1

what is MK Hallidays theory

Answer 1

• ‘seven functions of childs language’
• children use language to fullfill a function
  1. instrumental - used to satisfy needs e.g food and drink
  2. regularity- used to influence the behaviour of others e.g persuaiding and commanding
  3. interactional- to develop social relationships and ease inerations e.g hello
  4. personal - expresses personal preferences e.g attitudes and feelings
  5. informative- communicative e.g ‘I got a new doll’
  6. heuristic- learn and explore the environment e,g running commentary
  7. imaginative- exploring the imagination e.g jokes

Question 2

what is Eric Lenneburgs theory

Answer 2

• ‘critical theory’
• the capacity to learn language is agre related
• if language is not learned by puberty, they will not learn language at all

Question 3

what is Noam Chomskys theory

Answer 3

• LAD
• believes we have ‘hard wired’ knowledge
• the human brain is ready for language
• attempts to clarify the quick acquisition of language on the basis of a childs minimum exposure of language input
• says the logical problem is language learning would be impossible without the existence of ‘universal language specific knowledge ‘