Language Acquisition
Introduction
Language acquisition is the process by which humans acquire the capacity to perceive, produce and use words to understand and communicate. This capacity involves the picking up of diverse capacities including syntax, phonetics, and an extensive vocabulary. This language might be vocal as with speech or manual as with sign.
Theories of Language Acquisition
Behaviorist Theory
The behaviorist theory, proposed by B.F. Skinner, suggests that language acquisition is a behavior that children learn through positive reinforcement. According to this theory, children learn language through imitation, reinforcement, and association.
Nativist Theory
Contrary to the behaviorist theory, the nativist theory, proposed by Noam Chomsky, suggests that children have an inherent ability for language acquisition that goes beyond mere imitation. According to this theory, children are born with a language acquisition device (LAD) that enables them to learn any language.
Interactionist Theory
The interactionist theory, as the name suggests, proposes that language acquisition is influenced by the desire of children to communicate with others. This theory combines both the behaviorist and nativist theories, suggesting that both nature and nurture are essential for language acquisition.
Stages of Language Acquisition
Language acquisition typically develops in stages, which can be broken down into prelinguistic and linguistic stages.
Prelinguistic Stage
The prelinguistic stage, also known as the preverbal stage, is the first stage of language acquisition. This stage is characterized by babbling and cooing and typically lasts until a child is about one year old.
Linguistic Stage
The linguistic stage is characterized by the development of words and syntax. This stage can be further broken down into the one-word stage, two-word stage, and multi-word stage.
Factors Influencing Language Acquisition
Several factors can influence language acquisition. These include the child's environment, the complexity of the language being learned, and the child's developmental stage.
Language Acquisition vs. Language Learning
While often used interchangeably, language acquisition and language learning are two different concepts. Language acquisition is a subconscious process, while language learning is a conscious one.
Second Language Acquisition
Second language acquisition refers to the process by which individuals learn a second language in addition to their native language. This process can occur at any stage of life and is influenced by many factors, including motivation, age, and exposure to the second language.
Conclusion
Language acquisition is a complex process that involves a variety of factors and stages. Understanding this process can provide valuable insights into how humans communicate and learn.