Summarize three theories of language acquisition, noting the strengths and weaknesses of each.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

A good answer would include the following key points:
- The learning theory approach suggests that language is acquired in the same way as any other behavior: through reinforcement, conditioning, shaping, and so on. It certainly is true that a wide variety of social behaviors are molded following learning principles, and it is also true that reinforcement of grammatical and syntactic rules can shape language use. However, reinforcement is an unlikely method of generating the infinite variety of language constructions people use, especially forms of grammar that take shape spontaneously.
- The nativist approach argues that humans are born with a language acquisition device, a theoretical construct for detecting, using, and applying a universal grammar. Strong evidence in support of this position comes from cross-cultural, cross-species, and developmental evidence. However, the existence of and clear specification of the parameters of a language acquisition device or a universal grammar weakens this position.
- An intermediate position is adopted by the interactionist view, which holds that innate linguistic capabilities are shaped within an environmental context. As with many perspectives on development, this intermediate view likely holds the majority of the truth.