Question
Simplify the following
According to the supporters of nativism, for example Noam Chomsky (1969, 1993)
and Eric Lenneberg (1967), every normal person is born with the ability to acquire
language. They acknowledge the role played by the learning process, but it is considered
subordinate to innate (inborn or inherent) ability.
Chomsky's contribution to the field centres primarily on what he calls the language
acquisition device (LAD). The LAD should not be seen as a single structure, but rather as a
constellation of interconnecting brain areas and is present only in the human species. This
mechanism is present at birth but is dependent on the maturation of cells in the cerebral
cortex. According to Chomsky, this mechanism is responsible for the fact that people can
produce and understand an infinite number of sentences. Chomsky also believes that
during language development, children learn only the elements of a particular language
(their mother tongue) and not the basic structure of language — they are born with this.
Chomsky (1993, p. 519) explains in this regard, "Language learning is not really something
that the child does; it is something that happens to the child placed in an appropriate
environment, much as the child's body grows and matures in a predetermined way when
provided with appropriate nutrition and environmental stimulation".
According to the supporters of nativism, for example Noam Chomsky (1969, 1993)
and Eric Lenneberg (1967), every normal person is born with the ability to acquire
language. They acknowledge the role played by the learning process, but it is considered
subordinate to innate (inborn or inherent) ability.
Chomsky's contribution to the field centres primarily on what he calls the language
acquisition device (LAD). The LAD should not be seen as a single structure, but rather as a
constellation of interconnecting brain areas and is present only in the human species. This
mechanism is present at birth but is dependent on the maturation of cells in the cerebral
cortex. According to Chomsky, this mechanism is responsible for the fact that people can
produce and understand an infinite number of sentences. Chomsky also believes that
during language development, children learn only the elements of a particular language
(their mother tongue) and not the basic structure of language — they are born with this.
Chomsky (1993, p. 519) explains in this regard, "Language learning is not really something
that the child does; it is something that happens to the child placed in an appropriate
environment, much as the child's body grows and matures in a predetermined way when
provided with appropriate nutrition and environmental stimulation".
Answers
GPT-4o mini
Nativist supporters like Noam Chomsky and Eric Lenneberg argue that all normal individuals are born with the inherent ability to acquire language. While they recognize the importance of the learning process, they believe it is secondary to this innate ability.
Chomsky’s key contribution is the concept of the language acquisition device (LAD), which consists of interconnected brain areas unique to humans. This mechanism, present at birth, relies on the development of brain cells. Chomsky claims this allows individuals to generate and comprehend an infinite range of sentences. He suggests that during language development, children learn specific elements of their mother tongue, while they innately possess the fundamental structure of language.
Chomsky (1993) further explains that language learning occurs naturally when children are in a suitable environment, similar to how their bodies grow and mature with proper nutrition and stimulation.
Chomsky’s key contribution is the concept of the language acquisition device (LAD), which consists of interconnected brain areas unique to humans. This mechanism, present at birth, relies on the development of brain cells. Chomsky claims this allows individuals to generate and comprehend an infinite range of sentences. He suggests that during language development, children learn specific elements of their mother tongue, while they innately possess the fundamental structure of language.
Chomsky (1993) further explains that language learning occurs naturally when children are in a suitable environment, similar to how their bodies grow and mature with proper nutrition and stimulation.