scholarly journals The Unifying Theory of Bootstrapping: The Collaboration of Multiple Language Acquisition Mechanisms

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. p16
Author(s):  
Zequn Harry Song
Keyword(s):  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Universal Grammar ◽  
First Language ◽  
First Language Acquisition ◽  
Acquisition Process ◽  
Definitive Evidence ◽  
Syntactic Bootstrapping

Scientists have long been exploring the possibility of Universal Grammar (UG), a linguistic gene that engenders our language acquisition process. What UG may comprise is debated: if semantics is innate, or syntax, or some other linguistic aspects. Moreover, no definitive evidence has surfaced to attest to its existence. Therefore, a first-language acquisition process without the prerequisite of UG is called for. In this paper, we tear apart the incompatibilities among different language acquisition hypotheses and combine them into a theory in which language learning does not require UG. We contend that a unification of the current hypotheses (i.e., pragmatic, prosodic, semantic, and syntactic bootstrapping) is substantial for first-language acquisition, and that scientists should be wary of oversimplifying matters with UG.

scholarly journals Universal Grammar: Arguments for its Existence

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 31
Author(s):  
Jameela Hanoon Umarlebbe ◽  
Seriaznita Binti Mat Said
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Model ◽  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Universal Grammar ◽  
First Language ◽  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
Human Mind ◽  
Learning Needs ◽  
First Language Acquisition ◽  
Reasonable Explanation

The first part of this paper discusses the rationale for universal grammar (UG) theory to explain first language acquisition. It also illustrates the issues of language acquisition Chomsky argued which could not be supported by behaviourist theories and shows how Chomsky proposed a solution to this problem through his theoretical model of universal grammar. The next part outlines this theory’s key tenets, arguing that these principles must be an innate endowment of the human mind. Moreover, the study illustrates specific examples of grammatical phenomena that universal grammar seeks to explain. Lastly, it shows that certain distinct grammatical features are linked and that these connections can be explained within the Universal Grammar theoretical framework. The only reasonable explanation for the first language learning needs only limited linguistic exposure to activate them and set criteria for the language being learned for children whose minds have already been wired with essential language concepts.

Vocabulary Acquisition in First Language: Can This Be Categorized Under Any Universal Developmental Stages?

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 118-130
Author(s):  
Сікдер Шафіназ
Keyword(s):  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Child Development ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Vocabulary Acquisition ◽  
First Language ◽  
Word Meaning ◽  
First Language Acquisition ◽  
Word Meanings ◽  
Acquisition Process ◽  
Study Results

This researched based case study has been conducted to investigate the fact that whether first language acquisition process in case of vocabulary (acquiring word meanings) follows some certain sequential stages despite of specific learners and their particular contexts. That is to say, to challenge the existing idea of having universal developmental patterns in case of vocabulary acquisition which tries to bring all the unique learners under one single umbrella, this study was conducted on an individual to observe whether and to what extent the child is following or conforming up to any idealistic standard of acquiring vocabulary. Therefore the study had some pre-determined questions set which was ask to the randomly selected child within an informal context (her play time). Interestingly, the study results which were analyzed both qualitatively and quantifiably with support of secondary literatures revealed that the child is not following any particular patterns of development at a time.  Rather is developing word meanings by following some random sequences. That is to say, she has developed some features of word meanings which she should have acquired in some later stages (after a particular age) according to the claim of many researchers. On the other hand, she has not yet acquired features which she should have acquired already. Therefore it can be concluded that a child’s first language vocabulary acquisition process (especially acquisition of word meanings) cannot be made generalized under some certain or principled patterns or rules. This is because every learning process is unique since every individual learner is unique. References Cruttenden, Alan. (1985). Language in Infancy and Childhood: A Linguistics Introductionto Language Acquisition. Manchester, Manchester University Press. Dodd, H. David & Tomikawa, A. Sandra (1980). Early Word Meanings: Perceptually orFunctionally Based? Child Development, 51 (4), 1103–1109. Retrieved from:http://www.jstor.org/stable/1129550 Mace-Matluck, J. Betty. (1979). Order of Acquisition: Same or Different in First- andSecond-Language Learning? The Reading Teacher, 32 (6), 696–703. Retrieved from:http://www.jstor.org/stable/20194855. Miller, A. George (1978). The Acquisition of Word Meaning. Child Development, 49 (4),999-1004. Retrieved from: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1128739 Ritgerd, B. A. (2014). First Language Acquisition: The Rate and Style of VocabularyGrowth in the First Years. Haskoli Islands, 1–26. Retrieved from:http://skemman.is/stream/get/1946/17417/40471/1/BA_Essay.pdf Scovel, Thomas. (2004). Psycholinguistics (5th ed.). New York, NY: Oxford UniversityPress Smith, D. Michael. (1978). The Acquisition of Word Meaning: An Introduction. ChildDevelopment, 49(4), 950–952. Retrieved from: http://www.jstor.org/stable/11287338. You, Yunjung. (2011). Factors in Vocabulary Acquisition through Reading. ITJ, 8, 43–57Retrieved from: http: //15524-21995-1-PB.pdf

FUNDAMENTAL AND GRADIENT DIFFERENCES IN LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT

2009 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 259-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Herschensohn
Keyword(s):  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Processing ◽  
Universal Grammar ◽  
First Language ◽  
Cognitive Strategies ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Language Faculty ◽  
Generative Theory ◽  
The Difference

This article reexamines Bley-Vroman’s original (1990) and evolved (this issue) fundamental difference hypothesis that argues that differences in path and endstate of first language acquisition and adult foreign language learning result from differences in the acquisition procedure (i.e., language faculty and cognitive strategies, respectively). The evolved assessment of the theoretical and empirical developments of the past 20 years is taken into account with respect to Universal Grammar and parameters in generative theory and with respect to cognition and acquisition in data processing. This article supports the spirit of Bley-Vroman’s proposals in light of the discussion of three topics: pathway of acquisition, endstate age of acquisition effects, and language processing by monolinguals and bilinguals. I argue that the difference between child and adult language acquisition is, above all, quantitative not qualitative, a gradient continuum rather than a precipitous break.

Language Learning

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Paugh
Keyword(s):  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Development ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Human Development ◽  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
First Language ◽  
The Body ◽  
First Language Acquisition ◽  
Wide Range

The study of language learning is central to understanding how children learn to communicate and become competent members of their communities and social worlds. It is basic to the study of what it means to be human. As such, the body of research on this topic spans multiple disciplines including linguistics, psychology, anthropology, sociology, human development, education, applied linguistics, speech-language pathology, and neuroscience. It entails studies of the acquisition of first and second (third, etc.) languages in monolingual and bi/multilingual contexts, and both typical and atypical language development. Theories and methods used to study this phenomenon vary across academic disciplines. Linguistic and psychological approaches to first-language acquisition have focused more heavily on cognitive processes and development, while research from anthropological and sociolinguistic perspectives tends to examine learning language in its social and cultural context. These differing orientations are reflected in the terms used to refer to the process, for example, language acquisition or language development in linguistic and psychological approaches and language socialization in anthropological approaches. Much research on first-language acquisition has been carried out on English-speaking North American and European populations, but recent years have witnessed increasing analysis of cross-linguistic and cross-cultural data. Studies range in focus, examining theoretical claims or the acquisition of particular linguistic features such as phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, and discourse. Researchers investigate the influences on language learning and seek to illuminate the relations of language to human development, cognitive processes, and/or culture. Normally developing children worldwide evidence a high degree of similarity in early language learning; thus it has been possible to summarize general developmental sequences. One of the most fundamental points of rigorous debate concerns the degree of influence played by innate genetic predispositions or mechanisms of language (“nature”) versus the role of the social environment and language(s) children are exposed to (“nurture”). Spurred by this and other debates, the field has exploded since the 1960s. The literature is extensive and multidisciplinary, with each area often very specialized. This bibliography covers a wide range of perspectives, including research that falls on all points of the nature-nurture continuum, but focuses primarily on early childhood and confines itself to reviews, primary case studies, and foundational publications on child language learning in each tradition. The article was compiled with research assistance from Divya Ganesan at James Madison University.

scholarly journals The role of feedback and instruction on the cross-situational learning of vocabulary and morphosyntax: Mixed effects models reveal local and global effects on acquisition

2020 ◽  
pp. 026765832092774
Author(s):  
Padraic Monaghan ◽  
Simón Ruiz ◽  
Patrick Rebuschat
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
First Language ◽  
First Language Acquisition ◽  
Learning Condition ◽  
Learning Instruction ◽  
Improved Learning

First language acquisition is implicit, in that explicit information about the language structure to be learned is not provided to children. Instead, they must acquire both vocabulary and grammar incrementally, by generalizing across multiple situations that eventually enable links between words in utterances and referents in the environment to be established. However, this raises a problem of how vocabulary can be acquired without first knowing the role of the word within the syntax of a sentence. It also raises practical issues about the extent to which different instructional conditions – about grammar in advance of learning or feedback about correct decisions during learning – might influence second language acquisition of implicitly experienced information about the language. In an artificial language learning study, we studied participants learning language from inductive exposure, but under different instructional conditions. Language learners were exposed to complex utterances and complex scenes and had to determine the meaning and the grammar of the language from these co-occurrences with environmental scenes. We found that learning was boosted by explicit feedback, but not by explicit instruction about the grammar of the language, compared to an implicit learning condition. However, the effect of feedback was not general across all aspects of the language. Feedback improved vocabulary, but did not affect syntax learning. We further investigated the local, contextual effects on learning, and found that previous knowledge of vocabulary within an utterance improved learning but that this was driven only by certain grammatical categories in the language. The results have implications for theories of second language learning informed by our understanding of first language acquisition as well as practical implications for learning instruction and optimal, contingent adjustment of learners’ environment during their learning.

scholarly journals First language acquisition of French grammar (from 10 months to 4 years old) Introduction

2012 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
MARTINE SEKALI
Keyword(s):  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Universal Grammar ◽  
First Language ◽  
Psychological Development ◽  
First Language Acquisition ◽  
Grammatical Development ◽  
Parental Input ◽  
Linguistic Input ◽  
French Grammar ◽  
Innate Ability

How do French children acquire the grammatical system of their native language so easily? Many hypotheses have been put forward and experimentally tested to solve this mystery. Generative theories argue that grammar is a universal and innate ability ready to be instantiated after birth. Within this framework, grammatical development is seen as a process whereby universal grammar gradually settles into the language-specific structures of the linguistic input that children receive in the first years of life. In the last decades however, many researchers of child language development have suggested other explanations. Current functional-cognitive research (cf. Langacker, 1988, 2000; Bybee, 1995, 2002; Elman et al., 1996; Tomasello, 2003; Diessel, 2004), proposes a usage-based approach to first language acquisition, where grammar is shaped by usage, and linguistic constructions are taken from parental input and gradually generalised by the child. Usage-based theories thus consider grammatical development as a dynamic process which emerges and evolves, in parallel with cognitive and psychological development, through the use of symbolic patterns which consolidate into grammatical constructions.

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