Language as learned behaviour, children learn through positive and negative reinforcement. (A nurture argument) See correction as crucial to development. Children do imitate the phonology of language e.g. accent.
Counterargument: children not animals (what Skinner had perviously studied) and they can not be punished as if they are. More interested in interested in the truth of a child's utterance, rather than grammatical accuracy. Studies show that correcting a child's grammar can impede dev. Over-generalisation & virtuous errors show child actively applying grammar rules.
Chomsky = innateness:
Capacity and the apparatus for language learning are already there when we are born - a Language Acquisition Device (LAD) Focuses on rules rather than imitation = 'linguistic creativity' All children across the world pass through similar stages,. Medical research also indicated that there are specific areas of the brain which control language. Chomsky realises there must be input.
Piaget = cognitive
language acquisition is part of a child's wider development: lang. comes with a wider understanding. A child cannot articulate concepts s/he doesn't understand.
Counterargument: some children with cognitive problems manage to use lang way beyond their apparent understanding.
Bruner = social interruptive
The interactions between child and carer are crucial to lang dev. and help children to develop concepts eg. turn-taking. Importance of conversations, routines of social interaction and the role of Child-Directed Speech (CDS)
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