Chomsky

Noam Chomsky theory

Some of Chomsky's most influential theories within linguistics include the Nativist theory and Universal Grammar theory. Through his research in linguistics and other areas, such as cognitive psychology, Chomsky helped establish what we now refer to as the 'Cognitive Revolution'.

Noam Chomsky's famous work

Chomsky is not only influential in the field of linguistics, but has also significantly contributed to the fields of cognitive science, philosophy, psychology, childhood education, and anthropology. He has also written many political books, focusing on foreign policy, the United States' domestic policies, and wealth and power. Today, Chomsky is considered one of the most influential intellectuals in the world. In fact, he is currently the most cited living academic.

Noam Chomsky Biography

Born:

• December 7, 1928, in Pennsylvania

Career:

• PhD in linguistics from the University of Pennsylvania
• Professor of Linguistics at MIT

• Professor emeritus

Notable works:

• Current Issues in Linguistic Theory (1964)

• Aspects of the Theory of Syntax (1965)
• Language and Mind (1972)
• Studies on Semantics in Generative Grammar (1972)
• Knowledge of Language (1986)
• Gaza in Crisis (2010)

• Who Rules the World? (2014)

Achievements:

• The Kyoto Prize in Basic Sciences

• The Humanitarian Sydney Peace Prize
• Ben Franklin Medal in Computer and Cognitive Science

What is Chomsky's theory of language acquisition?

How do children learn their first language? Behaviourists believe that we learn it by copying our parents or caregivers. This was a popular view until the 1950s, advocated by linguists like BF Skinner (he set out his theory in the book Verbal Behavior). In response to this view, Chomsky proposed an alternative. Language learning is innate. Chomsky rejected Skinner's behaviorial theory because, he argued, children receive too little language stimulus to fully learn a language in such a short period of time, something he called 'impoverished language input' (baby talk). He set out his ideas in a review of Skinner's book (A Review of Skinner's Verbal Behavior) in 1967. Chomsky questioned how children could demonstrate signs of learning grammar before being taught it, and suggested that the human brain must have evolved to contain certain linguistic information from birth. Chomsky's theory of language acquisition is referred to as the Nativist theory or Innateness theory.

Chomsky believed language is innate rather than learned from caregivers (StudySmarter Original)

During the 1960s, Chomsky questioned the idea that the human mind begins as a 'blank slate'. Instead, he suggested that the basic concepts of language are innate in every human's mind and are influenced by our linguistic environment. Chomsky suggests that a child's predisposition to learn a language is triggered when they hear speech, and that their brain will begin to interpret what is heard based on underlying structures and principles it already knows. Chomsky referred to this area of the brain as the 'Language Acquisition Device', or LAD for short, and suggests that it is the reason why children can learn a language only a few years after birth.

Chomsky has since gone on to revise his own theory on the LAD. He used to believe the LAD contained specific knowledge about language, but he now believes that it works more like a mechanism for working out the rules of language.

Of course, all languages are different, and humans assign different meanings to different sounds worldwide. Chomsky does not believe that a child born in England has an innate ability to speak English or that a child born in China can miraculously speak Chinese. Instead, he suggests that all human languages share many of the same grammar principles.

For example, most languages:

• Differentiate between verbs and nouns
• Have a way of talking about the past and present tense
• Have a way of asking questions
• Have a counting system

This sharing of common grammar principles is what Chomsky refers to as 'Universal Grammar'. According to Universal Grammar theory, the basic grammatical structures of language are already encoded in the human brain at birth. It is a child's environment that will determine which language they acquire.

Applications of Chomsky's language acquisition theory

Let's look at Chomsky's theory of language acquisition in action and some real-life examples that help support his theory.

Limitations of Chomsky's language acquisition theory?

Chomsky's theory of language acquisition has met with several criticisms.

Firstly, Chomsky's work on language is highly theoretical as he tends to look more at complex explanations of grammatical structures rather than studying children themselves. Chomsky's theory fails to account for real-life relationships, external factors, and motivations to learn that children may face in their day-to-day lives.

Secondly, although scientists have identified locations in the brain used for language processing, such as Broca's area and Wernicke's area, a specific area that can be defined as the LAD has not been found. Some modern theories have returned to behaviourism for answers, such as Connectionism.

¹ Steven Pinker. The Language Instinct. 1994

² Derek Bickerton. Creole Languages. 1983