Nature vs. nurture is a longstanding debate in the field of linguistics that refers to the relative contributions of genetics and environment to the development of language in humans. On one side of the debate, those who argue for the "nature" perspective maintain that language is innate and that individuals are born with the ability to acquire language. On the other side, those who argue for the "nurture" perspective believe that language is learned through experience and that it is shaped by the environment in which it is used.
The nature perspective on language acquisition is supported by evidence from studies of children who have been isolated from language during critical periods of development. These children, known as "genie kids" or "wild children," have been found to be unable to acquire language even when exposed to it later in life. This suggests that there is a critical period for language acquisition and that it is determined by genetics.
However, the nurture perspective is also supported by evidence from studies of bilingualism and multilingualism. These studies have shown that individuals can learn multiple languages at any age and that the ability to do so is influenced by the environment in which the languages are spoken. In addition, the way in which language is used in a particular culture can influence its structure and the way it is learned.
While it is clear that both nature and nurture play a role in language acquisition, it is difficult to determine the exact extent of their influence. Some researchers believe that genetics may provide a predisposition for language learning, while others argue that the environment is the primary determining factor. It is likely that the truth lies somewhere in between, and that the relative contributions of nature and nurture may vary from one individual to another.
Ultimately, the nature vs. nurture debate in language acquisition is unlikely to be resolved definitively. However, understanding the ways in which genetics and the environment influence language development can provide valuable insights into the nature of language and the human mind.
Nature and nurture in language acquisition
Yet the language rules and grammar children use in their speech often exceed the input to which they are exposed. It is by operant conditioning that an individual makes an association between a behavior and a consequence. However, how the child acquires that ability to speak their first language is a matter that has fascinated many scientists since language is a uniquely human aspect. The child may be motivated by instinct and culture in which this takes me back to the idea that nature and nurture play a combined role since genes build the brain and engross experience. Moreover, it takes time to develop linguistic capabilities that eventually lead to the full utilization of language making language acquisition a nature and nurture process and not a nature against nurture phenomena Singleton, 2005. Being There: Putting Brain, Body, and World Together Again. This is true of all species from the snail to the human.
Free Essay: Nature vs Nurture in Language Acquistion
What is nature of language acquisition? Because of this fact, language is constantly evolving in two directions--to better express our ideas and manipulate the world and to better fit the structures and functions of our various brain regions Clark 193-194. Farber discovered that the more separated the twins were, the greater the difference between their I. This is remarkable because it shows how human beings generate universal assumptions about the same words and phrases. With language-readiness in place, the age, maturity and background of the learner must also come to bear. Any, hardly, scarcely during early years of school.
Nature and Nurture in Language Acquisition Essay
At first glance, this may seem reminiscent of how language is traditionally taught in classrooms. This ability a child has to learn a language is extraordinary. After going through the papers, the major ideas supporting each theory were highlighted and the weaknesses mentioned. So, the child is born with the skills for communication, or the child needs to learn from the environment. First to start off with a better understanding of what language and lexicon is.
Nature vs. Nurture in Language Acquisition
Both theories laid the foundation for later theories that explained in a better way how children acquire first language Heo et al. If the limiting action of genes seems disputable, think of how many people you know who grow to heights of more than twenty feet tall, live longer than two hundred years, or can run faster than a cheetah. Following Dolati 2012:752 statement that 'Behaviourism, Innatism and Interactionism… 2005 Ap Psychology Free-Response First, children¡¯s acquisition of language is an innate mechanism that enables a child to analyze language and extract the basic rules of grammar, granted by Chomsky. How does nature Genetics shape our language acquisition? If, for example, a dog finds that jumping over a fence allows him to eat some meat barbecuing in the neighbor 's yard, and if this behavior gets this reward several times, then the connections between his neurons will strengthen in the path that goes from smelling meet to jumping the fence. Intelligence is the connection between assimilation and association.
First Language Acquisition is Acquired through Nature and Nurture
This is illustrated further illustrated in diagram 3. Furthermore, scholars try to answer the question: what makes humans what they are? It includes a range of modes of delivery including signing, spoken and written words, posture, eye contact, facial expressions, and gestures. In seventeenth century philosopher John Locke claimed that the mind of a child was like a Tabula Rasa blank slate. Cognition is the ability to remember, learn, pay attention, and solve problems. Some researchers emphasize the influence of learning on language acquisition, while others emphasize biological influences.
