Language adquisition
There are four major theories about language acquisition:
Behaviorism, Nativism, Constructivism, and Social
interactionism. The first theory is based on the concept of
stimulus-response behavior and the theories of nativism
and constructivism are based on how cognition supports
language development. The theory of social interaction is
based on the principles of socio-psychology and
sociolinguistics.
The behaviorist theory suggests that language is
constructed through continuous exposure and positive
reinforcement. Initiated by Pavlov through his
experiments, the theory was articulated with higher
affirmation by Skinner (1957). Skinner argued that
languages are acquired through a process of stimulus-
response-reward. He shared that the child imitated the
parents by creating associations between words and real-
world objects where the object was the stimulus and the
parents' validation was the reward.
Chomsky (1959) proposed another theory called-
Nativism. He gave the concept of Universal Grammar: an
idea of innate, biological grammatical categories, such as
a noun category and a verb category that facilitates the
entire language development in children and overall
language processing in adults. He also suggested that
there was a Language Acquisition Device that allowed
Universal grammar to work effectively. Chomsky (1965)
described the adult speech (from where the child is
supposed to acquire language) as degenerate. On his
view, the child is exposed to a range of speakers, with
different voices and accents encountering performance
examples. Hence, the child acquires competence, which
allows him to produce grammatical sentences. Chomsky
addresses that “possessing a language enables us to
produce an infinite number of sentences.
Piaget developed a theory called Constructivism, which
has three different components ascribed to Language
learning: Assimilation (introduction to the information),
Accommodation (making room for the information by
even altering the existing information) and equilibration
(mental restructuring of information). According to this
theory, a child's concept of the word differs from that of
the adult's concept and the child goes through different
stages that will end in adult understanding.
Social Interactionism is the theory that claims that
communicative interactions are necessary for language
acquisition. This theory was based on the work of Jerome
Bruner about social learning and claims that language is
acquired as the result of interactions that help the infant
develop language. Furthermore, what this theory stresses
is the functional aspect of language. What is more, it
discusses that language learning happens due to
socialization; hence, the child is learning to be part of the
community. Bruner argues that interactions provide the
infant with language acquisition support structures.
With advanced research techniques such as FMRI
(Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging), psycholinguists
are trying to understand this better. However, it is evident
from the research as well as the theories shared that
there are two essential aspects to language Acquitanian:
Innate ability (which comes from neuro-functionalities)
and repeated exposure to the language. For creating
resources for Language learning, hence, focusing on
giving sufficient practice, exposure through sound and
script are some of the basic needs that we need to keep
in mind. The role of social interactions, dialogue and
exposure thus become important for language learning.
Bibliography:
Language learning: Various stages & theories
Behavioral theory suggests that language is built through
continuous exposure and positive reinforcement. In my
experience learning English, I have tried to expose myself
to the language by listening to songs, watching movies,
and listening to podcasts. Another theory that has been
part of my learning is Social Interactionism. It affirms that
communicative interactions are necessary for language
acquisition. I am friends with some people who speak
English, and on some occasions, I practice a little with
them or ask them some questions.
