Child Acquisition of Syntax Descriptive Essay by Nicky

Child Acquisition of Syntax
A look at the contributions of innateness and environment in child acquisition of syntax.
# 147964 | 1,720 words | 5 sources | APA | 2011 | US
Published on Aug 15, 2011 in Psychology (Theory) , Linguistics (General)


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Description:

This paper discusses how the conflict of nature vs. nurture affects nearly every discipline and how in the field of linguistics, this conflict is more appropriately named innateness, or universal grammar vs. environment. In particular, the paper looks at Noam Chomsky's innateness hypothesis and how it is perhaps the most easily obtained explanation of children's ability to learn a language. Chomsky's hypothesis simply suggests that language is similar to these other innate abilities that humans can achieve through cognition.

Outline:
The Role of Innateness in Semantic Acquisition
The Role of Environment in Language Acquisition

From the Paper:

"Although it seems rather complex, Chomsky's innateness hypothesis is perhaps the most easily obtained explanation of children's ability to learn a language. Human beings are programmed with a whole host of cognitive abilities when they are born. We have the instinct to suck, learn how to walk without necessarily being taught, and can think without lessons in how to do so, although we may need training or a specific environment to learn how to think critically, analyze deeply, or produce philosophical arguments. Chomsky's hypothesis simply suggests that language is similar to these other innate abilities that humans can achieve through cognition. In fact, in 1973, Golinkoff noted that children's ability to comprehend and acquire language might be linked to other types of cognitive acquisition, such as the agent--recipient relationship. Still, Chomsky's theory of language acquisition is the most commonly accepted theory regarding the subject. "

Sample of Sources Used:

  • Bortfeld, H., Morgan, J.L., Golinkoff, R.M., and Rathburn, K. (2005). Mommy and Me:
  • Familiar Names Help Launch Babies Into Speech-Stream Segmentation. Psychological Science, 16 (4), 298-305.
  • Fromkin, V., Rodman, R., Hyams, N. (2007). An Introduction to Language. Boston, Thomas Higher Education.
  • Golinkoff, R. M. (1973). Semantic Development in Infants: The Concepts of Agent and Recipient. Paper presented at the biennial meeting of the Society for Research in Child Development, Philadelphia, PA. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 078897).
  • Heath, S.B. (1984). Linguistics and Education. Annual Review of Anthropology, 13, 251-274.

Cite this Descriptive Essay:

APA Format

Child Acquisition of Syntax (2011, August 15) Retrieved December 02, 2023, from https://www.academon.com/descriptive-essay/child-acquisition-of-syntax-147964/

MLA Format

"Child Acquisition of Syntax" 15 August 2011. Web. 02 December. 2023. <https://www.academon.com/descriptive-essay/child-acquisition-of-syntax-147964/>

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