Language theory and Nativism

Theories of language

Attempt to explain how kids learn overtime/language acquisition

Learning theory assumptions

Kids learn a language through reinforcement and punishment learning theory assumes that kids are rewarded or reinforced for speaking correctly assumes that kids are punished for speaking incorrectly for using grammatically incorrect utterances Punishment reduces the frequency of incorrect statements if kids are punished

Learning theory, support, (world objective associations)

Occurs when a child associates, a world with a particular objects, or rather maps a word onto an object Parents reinforced correctly, associating the word with a particular object, and then they punish the child for incorrectly, associating the word with a particular object

Learning theory problem

The man goed to the store Problem is that young kids often says grammatically, correct things that they have not learned from their parents, or not in general, have learned from other people, and therefore we're not reinforced, but none the last say these things Young kids say them, because they are learning general rules of syntax

Nativism

Chomsky created nativism used to explain grammatically incorrect statements

Nativism first assumption

The ability to learn a language is innate Ability for an infant to learn, a language is present from birth, and occurs without any formal instructions

Nativism second assumption

Biologically determined Certain aspects are related to the brain. The ability to learn a language is related to the brain, and specifically to certain parts of the brain that are associated with language.

Broca's area

Associated with the ability to produce and speak language

Wernicke 's area

Associated with the ability to comprehend, or understand a language

Nativism Chomsky LAD ( language acquisition device)

Is a model in the brain used to help explain how kids learn syntax for language

Language evidence for nativism

All healthy infants, learning language Certain aspects of a language or universal Language is related to the brain Over regularizations Critical periods

All healthy infants learn a language

Language learning is innate healthy infants, learn our language, as long as they are exposed to healthy environment, and not isolated

Certain aspects of a language are universal

Cooing, babbling, one word utterancesThe sequence of stages for language development begins with cooling, then babbling, then one word ernes

Language is related to the brain: Broca area

Located in left frontal lobe speech production We know this because people who have damage in the broca area have trouble with speech stammering, or no speech at all

Language is related to the brain: wernicke area

Located in the left temporal lobe speech comprehension Speech, comprehension, ability to understand, speech being heard Damage in the area have shown comprehension deficits, and have trouble understanding speech

Language is related to the brain: aphasia

Aphasia refers to a language disorder Broca aphasia - Receive damage to the left frontal lobe and results in speech production deficits Wernickes aphasia- damage to the left temporal lobe in speech comprehension deficits Both are central deficits, indicating damage to the brain

Overregularizations

Grammatical errors Occur when a kid applies a regular rule to an irregular case, or rather a kid overextends a grammatical rule to an irregular case

Critical periods

Second language, learning ability to learn a second language, huge issue Critical period refers to the period end development when a particular event must occur in order for development to proceed normally

Critical period. Assumptions

Before puberty assumption, if kids learn a language before puberty, the assumption is that kids are generally able to speak that language fluently After puberty assumption, if a kid learns to speak a language or second language after puberty, they typically show significant trouble learning the language