The nativist theory Noam Chomsky (1928—)

The main problem with behaviourist theory, according to Chomsky, was the ‘poverty of the input’

Adults do not usually speak in grammatically complete sentences. The range of language which a child hears from adults is quite limited. Adults do not usually speak in grammatically complete sentences. Got the keys? On the table!

speed of children’s language development Skinner’s theory cannot explain the speed of children’s language development I can see them! Sammy get it! Big doggie! Juice!

The child has an unconscious and innate understanding … S + V + O S + V + C … of language rules

S + V + O S + V + C S + V + O + A DOG such as the fact that all languages have nouns and verbs DOG Or word order in sentences S + V + O S + V + C S + V + O + A

Chomsky called these rules ‘linguistic universals’

Language Acquisition Device The LAD This innate ability to understand language rules is the Language Acquisition Device

triggers or activates the LAD. ‘Input’ from the outside world triggers or activates the LAD. The child’s innate knowledge comes into action.

Look through the developments of the Child Language Handbook and for 3 things that Chomsky’s theory can explain.

+ ing + s + ed The nativist theory explains the speed of language development… And how children learn inflections in the same order (Roger Brown, 1973) + ing + s + ed

Why children in the ‘telegraphic stage’ rarely make mistakes in word order Annie play ball Daddy is silly

the ‘wugs’ experiment shows that most children can pluralise made-up nouns children also make ‘virtuous errors’ All the mens goed home.

These facts all show that children understand rules, and can use those rules in an ACTIVE way … … rather than passively copying adults.

bababababa Evidence for Chomsky: the babbling of deaf babies is exactly the same as that of hearing babies bababababa

But Nativism can only be proven by the ‘forbidden experiment’ The best way to test Chomsky’s theory would be to raise a child in complete isolation. Would this child still be able to acquire language?

The closest evidence are children who have grown up without any contact with adults – feral children.

The case of Genie who was confined to her bedroom as a child a problem for Chomsky’s theory because Genie never learned to use language normally. If the ability to learn language is innate, Genie should have acquired language like any other child.

This supports Eric Lenneberg’s ‘critical period’ hypothesis if the LAD is not activated before puberty, language development will not be normal

deaf parents. Jim was the hearing child of His parents used sign language, but wanted Jim to learn to speak.

They assumed that ‘input’ from other adults, TV and radio would enable him to learn. But Jim’s language development was seriously disturbed.

He began to learn more normally when received help from a speech therapist. This suggests that interaction with others is an important factor in language development