Language Development

I believe that Noam Chomsky’s theory is most correct. Chomsky is asserting that there is some form of universal grammar. He argues that the structure of which all human beings are born with in order that they may acquire language (Edgley, 2000). This theory states that children possess innate, language-specific abilities that facilitate and constrain language learning.

It has been a huge subject of research and debate, the theory of language acquisition continuously challenge every linguist in the modern language history. There were earlier researches but most of them failed. These earlier failures were principally the function of not having the "right" formulation of a theory of language, namely the "right" theory of universal grammar (UG). However, because UG is a theory of cognition as well as a theory of grammars, it seems only natural that language researchers and linguists should once again attempt to understand its relevance for language learning and language pedagogy.

In order to support this claim, I decided to take the newest research result from Cornell University entitled “Born To Speak: Cornell Studies Provide Evidence of Babies’ Innate Capability to Learn Language”.

The study was conducted by Barbara Lust, a developmental cognitive psycholinguist. She says, “Our studies show that both American and Taiwanese children as young as 3 years of age already possess a remarkable knowledge of language structure and syntax which is so complex and precise that it must challenge any known learning theory to account for its acquisition… This ability of young children requires complex analysis and complex interpretations that were never taught; and it is difficult to imagine how they could be derived by unguided induction alone… This evidence supports the idea that humans are biologically programmed for a language faculty which guides language acquisition.”

Discussion

Lust’s and her colleagues’ research supported the debated Chomsky’s theory. In reality, many linguists challenged the Chomsky’s theory. They insisted that the concept of innate ability to develop language in children is hearsay. But then again, with the emergence of this new research finding, it perfected new and compelling evidence that indeed children are born with the unique and specialized capability to learn language. The research supported the idea that children do not imitate their superiors or parents just to learn language. Children, who are the subject of the study possesses that so-called innate talent to “crack the codes” within themselves by using structural analysis. Furthermore, children can figure out their language’s system of word meaning (semantics), sentence structure (syntax) and sound (phonology) as early as three years old.

References

Edgley, A. (2000). The Social and Political Thought of Noam Chomsky. London:

Routledge.

Cornell University News Service (1998 February 17). Born To Speak: Cornell Studies

Provide Evidence of Babies’ Innate Capability to Learn Language. Retrieved January 25, 2006 from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1998/02/980217001324.htm.