Theories Of Language Aquisition

Question 1

What do critics say about behaviourists theory

Answer 1

Doesn’t explain grammar acquisition as children make errors that are not learnt
Some children cannot imitate complex grammar constructions even if directed to do so

Question 2

What is the nativist approach

Answer 2

Children have an innate capacity to learn language (lad)
Lad makes sense of utterances and hypotheses about grammar. This is possible because of universal grammar ( the belief that all ,anguafes gave the basic properties of grammar) and there is a critical period during which the lad operates.

Question 3

What criticisms are there of the nativist approach ?

Answer 3

The fact that children do not learn through imitation alone doesn’t prove the existence of Lad

Question 4

What is the interaction is approach?

Answer 4

Biological and social factors interact. 
Lass 
Social contexts need to be acknowledged 
CDS
humans have an innate capacity but these cannot be utilised without exposure to functional language which is only present in social interactions

Question 5

What is the constructivist approach?

Answer 5

Language acquisition must be viewed in the contexts of a child’s intellectual intelligence

Question 6

What is the socio- pragmatic approach?

Answer 6

Environmental input removes the ambiguity of language learning
Child is covariation detectors whom associate the words they hear with what they are attending to.

Question 7

What is the model of intentionality ?

Answer 7

Child is an active agent
It recognises intentionality if the child
Child develops words through three principles:
. Principle of relevance - relevance provides direction for word learning
.principle of disepcrepency - words are learned when child’s mind differs from other people’s mind
.principle of elaboration - there increasingly complex language reflexes increasingly complex mind

Question 8

What does behaviourist theory state?

Answer 8

Language acquired through reinforcement an imitation