CHAPTER 10:

Where does language

knowledge come from?
Intelligence, innate
language ideas,
behaviour?
CHEERELYN T. DELIZON
Discussant
HOW DO WE
ACQUIRE
KNOWLEDGE?
 PERFECT CIRCLES, GOD, AND LANGUAGE

This concept refers to the idea

that some people believe that
language knowledge comes from a
divine source or is inherently perfect
and unchanging.
 MENTALISM VS. MATERIALISM

This concept refers to the

debate between whether language
knowledge comes from external,
measurable factors or internal,
mental processes.
 MENTALISM
INTERACTIONISM- This is the idea that children learn
language through a combination of innate knowledge and
interaction with their environment. This can be
exemplified by a child learning to speak through
interactions with their parents and other caregivers.
IDEALISM- This is the idea that language knowledge
comes from the mind, and that language is a product of
human thought. This can be exemplified by the idea that
language is a reflection of the way we think and process
information.
 MENTALISM

EMERGENTISM-This is the idea that language

knowledge is emergent from a complex system, and that
it arises from the interaction of simpler components.
EMPERICISM-This is the idea that language
knowledge comes from our experiences in the world, and
that we learn language through observation and
experimentation.
RATIONALISM- This is the idea that language
knowledge comes from innate knowledge or reasoning
abilities.
 MATERIALISM

 EPIPHENOMENALISM-This is the idea that

language knowledge is a byproduct of other mental
processes, and that it does not play an active role in
our thinking.
 REDUCTIONISM- This is the idea that language
knowledge can be reduced to simpler, measurable
components.
 FUNCTIONALISM- This is the idea that language
knowledge is determined by its function in
communication and interaction.
 Argument to Chomsky’s Innateness
(UNIVERSAL GRAMMAR)

1. Degenerate, meagre, and minute language

input
2. Ease and speed of child language
acquisition
3. Irrelevance of intelligence in language
learning
4. Simultaneous multilingual and the problem
of multiple ssettings of a single parameter
THANKYOU!