Language Acquisition Theory

1. Behaviorist Theory

1.1. The Behaviorist Theory states that behaviors are learned from one's environment and says that innate or inherited factors have very little influence on behavior.

1.1.1. Burrhus Frederic Skinner (1904 - 1999)

1.1.1.1. -Children learn language based on behaviorist reinforcement principles by associating words with meaning.

1.1.1.2. - B.F. Skinner believed that children learn language through "operant conditioning." This is when children recieve "rewards" for using language in a functional manner.

1.1.1.3. Skinner was considered to be one of the foremost behaviorists in the century by being heavily influences by John Locke and the idea that humans are born with a "blank slate".

1.2. Language Element: Lexicons/Semantics

1.2.1. Within the Behaviorist Theory we begin with this "blank slate". As one grows older, we begin to learn and obtain knowledge to let that slate not be so blank. Lexicons are useful to know vocabulary, language. Lexicons can be used to add knowledge into this "blank slate". Semantics are very helpful because it deals with meaning and references. We can take what we learn from lexicons and confirm them with semantics to get a better understanding of one's knowledge.

2. Interactionist Theory

2.1. The Interactionist Theory states that caregivers play a critical role in language aquisition. ITs view takes into consideration the importance of both nurture and nature within the process.

2.1.1. Lev Vygotsky (1896 - 1934)

2.1.1.1. Vygotsky's theory of language development focused on social learning and the zone of proximal development(ZPD).

2.1.1.1.1. The Zone of Proximal Development is a level of development obtained when children engage in social interactions with others; it is the distance between a child's potential to learn and the actual learning that takes place.

2.1.1.2. There are 3 main concepts in Vygotsky's theory: (i) culture is significant to learning, (ii) language is the root of culture, and (iii) individuals learn and develop within their role in the community.

2.1.1.3. Language and Cognition go hand and hand. There are specific sttages in life where a child will be able to learn a certain language.

2.2. Language Element: Phonology

2.2.1. Phonological developments occur when a child learns different sounds and understand the meaning within the language during different stages in a child's life. This can be related back to Interactionist Theory because both take into account Cognition and the different stages for a child.

3. Innatist Theory

3.1. The Innatist Theory states that learning is natural for human beings. It is said that the mind is born with ideas/knowledge, and therefore the mind is not a "blank slate" at birth.

3.1.1. Noam Chompsky (1928 - Present)

3.1.1.1. - Language Acquisition could only be accounted for by an innate, biological language acquisition (LAD) or system.

3.1.1.2. - There is a universal grammar that is shared across every language in the world because Universal Grammar is part of our genetic makeup.

3.1.1.3. This theory Chopsky made states that this is why humans seem to have far more comlicated and complex set of communication patterns than any other living creature on Earth.

3.2. Language Element: Syntax

3.2.1. A child's syntax is taken into account within the Innatist Theory because it is all about the arrangements we put our words together to form these sentences. With these syntaxes and arrangements we can clearly see why humans have amore complicated and complex set for language.