Theoretical perspectives of Language Development
by jennifer morris
1. Nativist Perspective
1.1. The nativist perspective emphasizes inborn human capabilities as being responsible for language development (Otto, 2010). This theory focuses on nature as the biggest influence as well as the syntactic knowledge of laguage development (Otto, 2010). Noam Chomsky is the major theorist associated with this perspective (Otto, 2010).
2. Cognitive Developmental Perspective
2.1. This perspective emphasizes that language is developed through maturation and devleloping cognitive competencies (Otto, 2010). This perspective focuses on the role of nature as well as semantic and morphemic language knowledge (Otto, 2010). Jean Piaget is the major theorist associated with this perspective (Otto, 2010).
3. Behaviorist Perspective
3.1. The behaviorist perspective considers learning to be based on stimuli, responses, and reinforcements that occur in teh environment (Otto, 2010). This perspective puts focus on the role of nurture as well as focusing on semantic, syntactic, and morphemic langauge knowledge (Otto, 2010). The major theorist of this perspective is Skinner (Otto, 2010).
4. Interactionist Perspective
4.1. The interactionist perspective is focused on the primary role of sociocultural interactions in children's development of language knowledge (Otto, 2010). This perspective sees nurture as the main contributor (Otto, 2010). It also focuses on pragmatic language knowledge (Otto, 2010). The main theorists associated with this prospective are Vygotsky, Bruner, and Halliday (Otto, 2010).
