Language acquisition device (LAD) / Universal Grammar (UG)

By Noam Chomsky

1. Language acquisition device (LAD) / Universal Grammar (UG) by Noam Chomsky Alanoud Alenzi Lamya Aljohani Raghad Alshahrani Lama Alshajri Raedah Alenzi

2. We will be discussing Chomsky’s theory as follows: What is Chomsky’s view on First language acquisition ? What is Language Acquisition device ? How does the language acquisition device works ? Evidences on Universal Grammar Limitations on Chomsky’s theory

3. Noam Chomsky Avram Noam Chomsky was born in Philadelphia on December 7, 1928. A n American linguist, philosopher, cognitive scientist, historian, social critic, political activist. Sometimes described as the father of modern linguistics. One of his accomplishments is that he developed the theory of universal grammar. هذه الصورة بواسطة كاتب غير معروف مرخصة بالاسم CC BY-SA-NC

4. What is Chomsky’s view on First language acquisition ? What is language acquisition device ? Chomsky's point of view emerged the environment works only as an trigger for language development and not as a key factor for language acquisition. He also suggested that all humans are born with a language acquisition device is a device that generates grammar and process parts of a language into a coherent system. The language acquisition device consists of: UG = a set of the principles and properties that characterize the grammar of all human languages.

5. How does the LAD works ? There is an input (which is the language in the child’s environment) that triggers the LAD including the UG, thus comes the output which is similar to the input .

6. poverty of the stimulus means: When children listen to words, they can not build sentences properly grammatically correct by him because it is not enough, but they must learn directly such as learning to read, write and arrange words and actions sentences listening alone is not enough.

7. There are some evidences of UG proves Chomsky’s theory: Shows that children have the ability to recognize sounds in early time and it may fade if the sound contrast not used in the Child’s environment. Children in fact are "prewired" to acquire a language. According to the similarities of developmental stages at similar times .

8. One of the Limitations of Chomsky’s Theory: The UG view of Chomsky, focuses on interaction between the child and his social network more than the role of his environment .

9. Critics of Chomsky’s theory: In our view: We agree with Chomsky’s theory that has a reasonable point to explain language acquisition. However, the social interaction (which has an important role in language acquisition) was neglected. In scientists view: Linguistically, It is only concerned with syntax. Also, it is only focused on grammar construction and neglected the social and psychological variables.

10. References: Kirsten M. Hummel. (2013). Introducing second language acquisition: Perspectives and Practices.