COMM320: Language Acquisition Theory

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering major concepts, brain structures, theoretical frameworks (Nativist, Behaviorist, Interactionist), and terminology from COMM320 Week 2 on Language Acquisition Theory.

Nativism

A 1960s–1970s theoretical view proposing that children are biologically predisposed to talk ('born to talk') and will speak to some degree even without input, provided they possess proper anatomical equipment, mental capacity, and a stable home environment.

Broca's Area

A specific language area in the human brain that serves as the neurological basis for syntax.

Wernicke's Area

A specific language area in the human brain that serves as the neurological basis for comprehension.

Motor Cortex

The brain region that generally provides basic motor control for mouth movements used in speech.

Mirror Neurons

Specific brain cells that react to human movements.

Noam Chomsky

A linguist who asserted that all humans acquire language, positing that language is unique to humans and develops when there are no severe mental limitations and no total lack of linguistic input.

Aper

A person who adopts the appearance or behavior of another, especially in an obvious way.

Language Acquisition Device (LAD)

A theoretical mechanism stating that all humans learn the rules of language structure naturally, giving native speakers intuitive gut judgments about grammar and phrasing.

Tabula Rasa

A behaviorist concept viewing the human mind as a 'blank slate' or a 'language tank on empty,' asserting that language is driven by external environmental forces rather than genetics.

Operants

A behaviorist term describing human organisms as entities that act and react in response to the consequences of their behavior.

Reinforcement

A behavioral consequence that encourages a behavior, whether that behavior is deemed good or bad.

Punishment

A behavioral consequence that discourages a behavior, whether that behavior is deemed good or bad.

Delta Stimulus

A behavioral stimulus signaling that reinforcement will not follow a particular response.

Aversive Stimulus

An unpleasant consequence presented in response to a particular behavior.

Interactionist Theory

A hybrid framework combining nativist and behaviorist models, holding that both innate biological factors and external environmental factors play vital roles in language development.

Social Interactionism

A perspective stating that language acquisition depends on interpersonal interaction, where the level and quality of social interaction determine the amount of language acquired.

Language Acquisition Support Structures

Social frameworks and environments where children acquire language as a byproduct of interacting with others, relying on socialization to prompt linguistic reactions.

Motherese / Parentese

An exaggerated communication style used to engage small children, characterized by higher pitch, repeated simple words, and extended pauses designed to draw attention to specific words.