The Language Acquisition Process: Theories and Elements

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Different theories of language development contribute to language acquisition in diverse ways. According to Skinners operant conditioning theory, children learn words when they receive rewards (Human Language Development, 2016, para. 2). For example, when a child is hungry, they discover the word eat. A child receives something to eat when they apply this word, which reinforces them to use it again. In such a way, a reward serves as a stimulus to learn a new term.

Chomskys language acquisition device is a part of the nativistic theory. According to this theory, language is innate, genetically transmitted, and physiologically determined (DeBenedictis, n.d., para. 6). Chomsky believes that there is universal grammar, which means that all languages share certain grammatical rules. Thus, a child subconsciously learns sounds, words, and sentences, creating simple phrases like I dont want that.

Cognition is another important element of the language acquisition process. Piagets schema view assumes that children learn the language, creating mental schemes in their mind and interpreting them through cognitive processes (Lyytinen, 1985, p. 64). For example, using the word water and observing a caregivers behavior (the mother goes out and brings water), a child learns to construct sentences, like mommy go out. In such a way, children accommodate themselves to the existing environment and use cognition to acquire language. Vygotskys zone of proximal development is similar to Piagets schema view, but it involves more social relations with others (Human Language Development, 2016, para. 5). For instance, a child learns language through social games and reading activities. An adult person says to a child, it is a bird and expects them to repeat this statement.

The fifth theory of language development is the Fregean core view. It assumes that language is a logical fact, and its main function is to denote something (Lyytinen, 1985, p. 63). A concept of truth-value should be considered when interpreting a statements meaning. If someone does not know that the Nile and the longest worlds river refer to the same river, it will be valuable to learn it, thus augmenting the understanding of the world and enlarging ones vocabulary. One can conclude that each of the theories mentioned above is involved in a childs language development.

References

DeBenedictis, A. (n.d.). Theories of speech & language development. Language acquisition. Web.

Human language development. (2016). Lumen. Web.

Lyytinen, K. J. (1985). Implications of theories of language for information systems. MIS Quarterly, 9(1), 61-74. Web.

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