THEORIES IN LANGUAGE ACQUISITION SUMMARY

1. BEHAVIORIST THEORY:

Key Idea: Language is learned through conditioning and reinforcement.

Summary: Behaviorists believe that children acquire language by imitating others and receiving positive
reinforcement for correct language use. It's like teaching a dog tricks—repeat, reward, and voila, you've
got a bilingual pup!

Example: Imagine a toddler saying their first word, "doggy," and receiving enthusiastic praise and a treat
from their parents. The positive reinforcement encourages the child to repeat the word and associate it
with the furry friend. Over time, this repetition and reward system contribute to the child's language
development.

2. COMMUNICATION ACCOMMODATION THEORY:

Key Idea: People adjust their communication style to match or differ from others.

Summary: CAT emphasizes the social aspect of language acquisition. We adapt our speech to be more
like those around us for social approval (convergence) or intentionally differ for identity or emphasis
(divergence). It's like a linguistic chameleon.

Example: Picture a group of friends with diverse accents. As they spend more time together, you notice
that they subtly start adopting similar speech patterns. This convergence helps them feel more
connected and understood. On the flip side, if someone intentionally uses more formal language in a
casual setting, that's divergence, signaling a desire to stand out or assert authority.

3. DISCOURSE THEORY:

Key Idea: Language is part of a larger context—discourse—and is shaped by social, cultural, and
situational factors.

Summary: Discourse theorists argue that understanding language requires looking at the bigger picture.
It's not just about words; it's about how they're used in specific situations. Imagine language as a puzzle
piece in the grand mosaic of human interaction.

Example: Consider a job interview. The way a candidate speaks during the interview, the words chosen,
and the level of formality are all influenced by the specific context of a professional discourse.
Understanding the broader discourse—job interview etiquette, in this case—is crucial for effective
communication beyond just the words spoken.

4. UNIVERSAL GRAMMAR HYPOTHESIS:

Key Idea: Humans are born with an innate capacity for language acquisition.

Summary: This theory suggests that our brains are wired for language. No matter the language, we share
a common underlying structure. It's like having a built-in language software—just add vocabulary.
Linguistic Lego, if you will!

Example: Take a bilingual household where a child is exposed to both English and Spanish from birth.
Despite the linguistic differences, the child effortlessly grasps the grammatical structures of both
languages. The hypothesis posits that there's an inherent ability in humans to acquire language,
irrespective of the specific language being learned.

In conclusion, these theories offer different lenses through which we can understand the process of
learning a language or language acquisition. Whether it's through imitation and reward, social
adaptation, a holistic view of communication, or an innate predisposition, language learning is a multi-
faceted marvel!