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Noam Chomsky's Language Theory
Sydney Baxter, Chris Clause, Lesley Chapel
Learn about Noam Chomsky and his theory of language acquisition. Examine his theories of universal grammar, innate language, and critical developmental stages. Updated: 05/31/2022
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Who Is Noam Chomsky?
Chomsky's Theory of Language Acquisition
Noam Chomsky's Language Theory Examples
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Who Is Noam Chomsky?
Noam Chomsky is a linguist, philosopher, cognitive scientist, historical writer, social critic, and political activist from the United States. Chomsky is known as the ''father of linguistics'' and is a key figure in philosophy. Linguistics can be defined as the study of language and its structure. In addition, Chomsky is one of the founders of cognitive science.
Noam Chomsky was born in 1928 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Jewish immigrants. While traveling to New York, Chomsky explored different bookstores and quickly became interested in anarchism in literature. He then went on to study at the University of Pennsylvania and continued with post-graduate work at the Harvard Society of Fellows. There, he developed the theory of transformational grammar which led to him receiving his doctorate in 1955. He moved on to teach at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he befriended two other linguistics, and in 1957 he became a significant leader in linguistics through his work Syntactic Structures, playing a key role in reshaping the study of language. In 1958 he also served as a visiting professor for Columbia University. From 1958 to 1959, he helped create the universal grammar theory through his fellowship at the National Science Foundation (Institute for Advanced Study). In addition to this theory, he also helped form the Chomsky hierarchy and minimalist program, and he played a significant role in the decline of linguistic behaviorism. His work has caused significant upheaval in the discipline of linguistics and is said to have revolutionized the scientific study of language.

Noam Chomsky's Language Theory
 

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Chomsky's Theory of Language Acquisition
Chomsky's theory of language acquisition views language acquisition as a biologically determined process that uses neural circuits in the brain which have evolved to contain linguistic signals. Chomsky concluded that language acquisition requires an inborn faculty in children, a concept known as the language acquisition device. In other words, humans are born with an innate language ''device'' that enables them to learn any human language. Prior to Chomsky, it was widely agreed that language was acquired through experiential learning, but his theory argues that human brain structures naturally allow for the capacity to learn and use languages.
According to Chomsky, humans acquire language by unconsciously storing information in the brain which can later be used for many types of written and oral communication. He also believes in the importance of children acquiring and developing effective language skills during early critical development stages. This is because language helps the child to function in society, teaching them how to socialize and learn.
Universal Grammar
Universal grammar is defined as ''the system of categories, mechanisms and constraints shared by all human languages and considered to be innate.'' This system is thought to include formal universals and principles, with specific options and parameters for variation in grammar and features between languages. Chomsky's theory of universal grammar thus argues that all languages contain structures and rules. For example, most languages contain the word classes of nouns, verbs, and adjectives. Another shared commonality in language is recursion, or the repetition of a particular linguistic element or grammatical structure in sequence. For example, adjectives can be repeated a number of times to describe a narrative and expand a sentence. An example can be seen in Brian Hyland's famous song: ''She wore an itsy-bitsy, teenie-weenie, yellow polka-dot bikini.''
Innate Language
Since the early 1950s, Chomsky believed that rules for language acquisition are innate, meaning all humans hold an inborn and natural capacity for language. His language theory argues that this innate feature is activated during infancy by minimal environmental stimuli. Chomsky arrived at this conclusion through observation of children in early developmental stages. Younger children naturally develop in language by making noises, crying, and laughing. Eventually, as the child grows, they exhibit the ability to learn words and phrases and convey messages. This occurs due to their evolution in the environment in which they grow up. For example, if a baby of German ethnicity is raised in the US and is surrounded by English-speaking people, that child will also grow up speaking English, especially if no German is taught to them.
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Prompts About Chomsky's Theories on Language:
Essay Prompt 1:
In approximately three to four paragraphs, write an essay that describes who Noam Chomsky was and the basis of his theory of language acquisition. Be sure to explain how Chomsky's theory differed from previous perspectives on language acquisition.
Example: Chomsky contended that the human brain is specially wired for language acquisition. This differed from other linguists, who contended that humans learn language by watching other humans.
Essay Prompt 2:
Write an essay of approximately three to four paragraphs that explains Chomsky's theory of universal grammar and his theory of innate language. Make sure your essay delineates how these two theories relate to each other.
Example: The theory of universal grammar notes that languages around the world share similar grammatical features and rules.
Graphic Organizer Prompt:
Create a poster, chart, or some other type of graphic organizer that details the critical stages of language development and that depicts the kinds of factors that can interfere with language acquisition.
Example: Child neglect is one environmental factor that can slow the acquisition of language.
List Prompt:
Make a list of at least five purposes that human language serves.
Hint: At the beginning, the lesson notes that language can be used to warn others of danger. You may use that example, but try to come up with as many on your own as you can.
What is an example of Chomsky's theory?
Here is an example of universal grammar rules which Chomsky developed in his theory of language acquisition:
- all languages use nouns, verbs and adjectives to convey messages
What is Chomsky's theory of universal grammar?
Chomsky's theory of universal grammar states that all languages have formal universals and principles in common, with specific options and limits for variation in grammar and features between languages. Chomsky argued that all languages contain similar elements, such as the word classes of nouns, verbs, and adjectives.
What is Noam Chomsky most famous for?
Although Noam Chomsky is well known for many achievements, he is often considered the ''father of linguistics'' and is most famous for the development of his theory of language acquisition. He is renowned for his strong understanding of language and its subconscious neural processes and systems.
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Noam Chomsky's Language Theory | Overview, Explanation & Examples
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