Name- Mauluda Laskar

Course Code- B.Ed. 120

Course Title- Teaching of
English
Enrollment No.- 01013902124
Topic- Perspectives in
Language Development
Submitted to- Ms. Aradhna
erspectives in Language Developmen

Nativist Behaviourist Social

Theory Theory Interactionist
~By Noam ~By B.F Theory
Chomsky Skinner ~By Lev
Vygotsky
 Nativist Theory
Noam Chomsky, a renowned linguist, proposed the Nativist Theory of language
acquisition, also known as the Theory of Universal Grammar. According to Chomsky,
children do not simply imitate the language they hear but instead have an inborn
mechanism that enables them to understand and produce language. This
mechanism, known as the Language Acquisition Device (LAD), helps children
recognize and apply grammatical rules, allowing them to acquire language quickly
and efficiently.
 Key Concepts
 Innate Ability to Learn Language
Chomsky argued that all human beings are biologically programmed to learn
language. Unlike other forms of learning, language acquisition happens
naturally and effortlessly in early childhood.
 Language Acquisition Device (LAD)
Chomsky introduced the concept of the Language Acquisition Device (LAD) to
explain how children learn language so quickly. The LAD is an inbuilt mental
structure that enables children to analyze the speech they hear, identify
patterns, and construct grammatical sentences.
 Universal Grammar (UG)
Another key aspect of Chomsky’s theory is the idea of Universal Grammar (UG).
He proposed that all languages share a common structural basis, which is why
humans can learn any language with ease. This suggests that while different
languages may have different rules, they all follow a common framework that
the human brain is naturally equipped to understand.
Criticism & Challenges in Proving Theory
Noam Chomsky’s Nativist Theory of language acquisition, particularly his concepts of the
Language Acquisition Device (LAD) and Universal Grammar (UG), has been highly
influential in the field of linguistics. His theory remains largely speculative, and over the
years, it has been challenged by several linguists and psychologists who argue that
language acquisition is more dependent on social, cognitive, and environmental factors
than on innate mechanisms.

 The Lack of Direct Evidence for the Language Acquisition Device (LAD)

 Universal Grammar (UG) Remains Theoretical

 Lack of Experimental Validation

 Behaviourist Theory
B.F. Skinner argued that language is learned through interaction with the environment
and society, rather than being an innate ability. His Operant Conditioning Theory
explains how children acquire language through reinforcement and imitation.

Key Concepts of Skinner’s Theory in Language Development

1. Language as a Learned Behavior
•Skinner believed that language is not an inborn ability but is acquired through
environmental influences.
•Infants learn to speak by imitating sounds and words they hear from parents and
caregivers.
2. Role of Environment and Society
The environment plays a crucial role in shaping a child’s language skills:
•Parents and caregivers reinforce correct speech by praising or responding
positively.
•Society provides exposure to new words and meanings.
3. Imitation and Repetition
•Children observe and copy words spoken by adults.
•Repetition helps them internalize pronunciation, meaning, and structure.
4. The Skinner Box Experiment
•Skinner experimented with rats and pigeons in a controlled environment
(Skinner Box).
•He demonstrated how animals learned behaviors through rewards and
punishments, applying this concept to human learning, including language
acquisition.

Criticism of Skinner’s Theory

•Noam Chomsky’s Criticism:
• Chomsky argued that language is too complex to be learned only through
reinforcement.
• He introduced the Language Acquisition Device (LAD), suggesting that
language ability is innate.
•Does Not Explain Creativity:
• Children create sentences they have never heard before (e.g., “I goed to the
park”), which cannot be explained by imitation alone.
•Ignores Cognitive Processes:
• Skinner’s theory does not account for the role of thinking and internal mental
processes in language learning.
 Social Interactionist Theory
Lev Vygotsky’s Social Interactionist Theory emphasizes the role
of social interaction and culture in language development.
Unlike behaviorists like Skinner, who focus on reinforcement,
Vygotsky believed that language develops through
communication with others, particularly within a child’s social
and cultural environment.

Key Concepts of Vygotsky’s Theory

1. Language Develops Through Social Interaction
Vygotsky argued that children learn language by interacting
with parents, caregivers, and peers.
2. Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)
•The ZPD is the gap between what a child can do alone and
what they can do with help from a more knowledgeable person
(parent, teacher, or peer).
3. Scaffolding
•Scaffolding refers to temporary support given to a child while learning a new
skill.
•As the child becomes more capable, the support is gradually removed.
•Example: A parent helping a child complete a sentence by filling in missing
words
4. Thought and Language Are Connected
•Vygotsky believed that language is not just a way to communicate but also a
tool for thinking.
•Young children first use language to interact with others, but over time, they
develop inner speech (thinking in their minds).
5. Culture Shapes Language Development
•The words and ideas children learn are influenced by their cultural
environment.
•Different societies emphasize different types of communication and language
use.

Criticism of Vygotsky’s Theory

•Lacks experimental evidence—many of his ideas were theoretical.
•Does not fully explain how individual differences affect language learning.