Theories of Language Acquisition

Question 1

Structuralism

Answer 1

• Linguistic perspective that language structure and organization are the inherent nature of the mind
• attempts to discover mechanisms to explain observable behaviour
• more emphasis on the language form (eg. syntax)

Question 2

Functionalism

Answer 2

• Account of behaviour that attempts to establish relationships between environmental or situational variables and language
• Attempts to explain verbal behaviour in different contexts
  and individuals
• More emphasis on context and consequences of language (ie. pragmatics)

Question 3

Language competence

Answer 3

Inner knowledge of language with its underlying rules and structures that may be deduced from language behaviour

Almost always greater than performance

Question 4

Language performance

Answer 4

Ability to use the rules in language expression

Question 5

Nativism

Answer 5

Philosophical perspective that certain knowledge and abilities are innate, possibly genetic

Question 6

Empiricism

Answer 6

Philosophical view that environmental experience is the source of learning and knowledge

Question 7

Nature/Nurture controversy

Answer 7

Evaluation of the relative contribution to a given ability, such as language, of a person’s genetic endowment as opposed to what the person acquires by interacting in the world

Researchers typically do not adhere strictly to one or the other

Question 8

Nativist theory

Answer 8

Involves belief that language knowledge and abilities are innate, physiologically predetermined, genetically transmitted phenomena

Rather than directly teaching, experiences activate innate capacity and turn them into language

Language maturing is explained in terms of certain unique properties of the individual NOT on the basis of learning, experience or developmental mechanisms