Week 7

Question 1

What did B.F. Skinner argue about language development in children?

Answer 1

A: Skinner argued that language development is driven by learning principles like conditioning, modeling, and imitation, where correct language use is rewarded and incorrect use is not.

Question 2

What is Noam Chomsky’s theory of language acquisition?

Answer 2

A: Chomsky proposed that humans have an innate ability to acquire language, known as ‘universal grammar,’ which helps in understanding the structure of languages.

Question 3

How does evolution relate to the development of language?

Answer 3

A: Evolutionarily, language is thought to have developed as humans formed larger social groups, creating a need for communication to solve complex survival challenges.

Question 4

What role does the brain play in language?

Answer 4

A: The human brain has evolved to have the capacity to acquire and process any of the 5,000 to 6,000 languages, supported by brain structures like Broca’s area.

Question 5

What is ‘generativity’ in language?

Answer 5

A: Generativity is the ability of language to create an infinite number of messages by combining symbols in novel ways.

Question 6

Define ‘displacement’ in the context of language.

Answer 6

A: Displacement is the ability of language to allow communication about objects, events, or ideas that are not present in the immediate environment.

Question 7

What does research suggest about bilingualism and cognitive abilities?

Answer 7

A: Research indicates that bilingual individuals may have advantages in attention and cognitive flexibility compared to monolinguals, although findings are mixed.

Question 8

What is the ‘linguistic relativity hypothesis’?

Answer 8

A: The linguistic relativity hypothesis suggests that the language one speaks influences and can determine the way one thinks about the world.