Chomsky's Model Of Language Acquisition

Noam Chomsky (1959) believed the ability to develop a signed or spoken lanaguage is generally programmed into individuals. 

This means that all individulas have the ability to understand and use language regardless of other abilities, and to become fluent in their first language by the age of 5/6. 

• Individuals are born with a 'language acquisition device'. 
• This enables children to recognise and develop the languages that they experience. 
• Children are 'preprogrammed' to acquire language and it evolves naturally in the same way that children have the ability to stand and walk. 
• Language develops because of maturation- the unfolding of the individual's biological potential. 
• A child cannot learn language through immitation alone because the grammar and syntax of language around is often highly irregular. An adults speech is often broken up and they use slang or jargon. 
• Chomsky noted that even if adults around a child use correct grammar, they will continue to apply plural rules e.g. 'deers' or 'geeses'. 
• He applied this theory to all languages.

Lack of scientific evidence to support the theory. 

Bruner would argue that social interaction, particulalry in the early stages of language development, is critical and has more influence than Chomsky has suggested. 

Over emphasis on grammar in sentence structure rather than how children construct meaning from their sentences. 

Did not take into consideration children who experience delayed language development e.g. Down's syndrome children usually have delayed language.