Chomsky's Theory on Language

Development in Children
By James Withers ; Updated August 03, 2018

Children are born in possession of an innate ability to comprehend language

structures, according to influential linguist Noam Chomsky. In his theory of
Universal Grammar, Chomsky postulates that all human languages are built
upon a common structural basis. "Evidently, development of language in the
individual must involve three factors: (1) genetic endowment, which sets limits
on the attainable languages, thereby making language acquisition possible; (2)
external data, converted to the experience that selects one or another
language within a narrow range; (3) principles not specific to the Faculty of
Language." Thus, Chomsky argues that language acquisition occurs as a
consequence of a child's capacity to recognize the underlying structure at the
root of any language.

Noam Chomsky's "Universal Grammar"

Chomsky's theory of language development in children is built upon the

principle "that our language is the result of the unfolding of a genetically
determined program." Chomsky asserts that children initially possess, then
subsequently develop, an innate understanding of grammar, regardless of
where they are raised. The term Chomsky affixes to this innate grammatical
system, which underpins all human language systems, is "Universal Grammar."

Period of Maturation

Children learn language most effectively during a critical period, which spans
roughly from birth into puberty. Building upon the ideas of the linguist Eric
Lenneberg, Chomsky emphasizes that children pass through a stage of
linguistic alertness, during which their understanding of language is more
pliable than during later periods of their lives. "There's a particular period of
maturation in which, with external stimulation of the appropriate kind, the
capacity will pretty suddenly develop and mature," Chomsky explains. If
children are frequently exposed to numerous languages during this formative
period, they are usually able to express multilingual capabilities.

Chomsky on Language Acquisition

According to Chomsky, language acquisition is a process that requires children

to deduce implicit rules that permeate a language. In order to account for the
ability of growing children to navigate this process, Chomsky postulated the
existence within the brains of children of a "language acquisition device." This
hypothetical device permits children to learn rules that govern a language
regardless of limited exposure to primary linguistic data. Chomsky later
modified his theory, in favor of a theory built on principles and parameters.
Principles, such as subject-object rules, govern all languages, while specific
parameters observed within each language are relatively unique.

Noam Chomsky & Creativity

In Chomsky's estimation, language is designed to convey an infinite range of

message, ideas and emotions. Thus, language is a constantly evolving
construct, subject to revision by those who employ it in speech or writing.
Children, in particular, often use language in novel ways due to the fact that
they are unfamiliar with the proper ways to use words and phrases.

Criticism and Chomsky's Response

Chomsky's theory of Universal Grammar is not universally admired. Critics

allege that Chomsky is guilty of over-generalization. Many of Chomsky's most
vociferous opponents deride his assertions as unsubstantiated by empirical
research. Others fault his theory on the grounds that it neglects to account for
environmental considerations, such as "motherese," a form of baby talk that
influences a child's acquisition of grammar rules. Chomsky has ceded to
criticisms of his theory in certain instances by modifying and enlarging the
scope of the theory. For example, James Dale Williams, author of "The
Teacher's Grammar Book," writes about a particular instance. In defense of the
notion that children can make strides learning language syntax, even if the
sentences they are exposed to are bereft of meaning, Chomsky published
"Aspects to the Theory of Syntax," in which he abandoned the notion of kernel
sentences and identified the underlying constituents of sentences as deep
structure.

References

 S&K: Noam Chomsky

 Forbes: Noam Chomsky On Why Kids Learn Languages Easily

About the Author

James Withers has authored in excess of 200 articles on eHow, expanding

on journalistic experience acquired as a commentator for the newspaper of
the University of Texas at Arlington. Withers began publishing professionally
in 2007. Withers holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of
Texas at Arlington.