Overview
This lesson covers the four main theories of language acquisition—linguistic, behaviorist, cognitive, and interactionist—and their stages, key ideas, and criticisms.
Theories of Language Acquisition
- Language acquisition is the process of learning to communicate in a target language.
- The four major theories: linguistic (innatist), behaviorist, cognitive, and interactionist.
- All theories offer different explanations on how children acquire language skills.
Linguistic (Innatist) Theory
- Proposed by Noam Chomsky, claiming humans are born with an innate ability to learn language.
- Suggests a universal "language acquisition device" in the brain.
- Critical period hypothesis: optimal window for acquiring native-like language skills before puberty.
- Stages: Babbling (birth–4 months), One Word (age 1), Two Word (age 2), followed by complete sentences and complex language.
- Criticisms: Lacks empirical, neuroscientific evidence and relies on rare cases (e.g., trauma).
Behaviorist Theory
- Based on Pavlov's classical conditioning and Skinner's operant conditioning.
- Language is learned through stimulus-response associations, imitation, and reinforcement by caregivers.
- Children learn language by mimicking adults and receiving rewards.
- Criticisms: Cannot explain rapid vocabulary acquisition or the creative use of language, and underestimates syntactic knowledge.
Cognitive Theory
- Developed by Jean Piaget, linking language development to overall intellectual growth.
- Language acquisition progresses in four stages: Sensorimotor (0–2), Preoperational (2–7), Concrete Operational (7–11), Formal Operational (12+).
- Views learning as interaction with the physical environment.
- Criticisms: Difficult to connect intellectual and language development in older children; too focused on environmental factors.
Interactionist Theory
- Advanced by Jerome Bruner; emphasizes the role of social interaction between children and caregivers.
- Language acquisition arises from the combination of biological predispositions and environmental input.
- Caregiver scaffolding and conversation are crucial to language growth.
- Criticisms: Children worldwide reach similar language milestones regardless of caregiver behavior; assumes infants are as capable as adults.
Stages of Language Acquisition (Summary)
- Babbling: Random, language-like sounds (by 4 months).
- One-word: Single, meaningful words (around age 1).
- Two-word: Basic phrases, "telegraphic speech" (around age 2).
- Rapid sentence development follows, continuing through adolescence.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Language Acquisition — process of learning to communicate in a language.
- Critical Period Hypothesis — theory there’s an optimal age window to acquire language natively.
- Classical Conditioning — learning by associating two stimuli.
- Operant Conditioning — learning shaped by reinforcement or punishment.
- Language Acquisition Device — hypothetical innate brain structure enabling language learning.
- Telegraphic Speech — brief, content-heavy utterances typical in early language development.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review stages and definitions of each theory for quiz preparation.
- Compare strengths and weaknesses of each theory.
- Study the sequence of language acquisition stages in children.