|| NATURE VS. NURTURE: THE DEBATE ||

One of the main debates seen in the Child Language Acquisition study, is the nature over nurture debate, or more importantly, are children born with the subconscious understanding of grammar, or children are just empty vessels when they are born, and are then filled with language knowledge from their parents.

The two main theorists behind these arguments are Noam Chomsky, a CLA pioneer, and forerunner in the nature side of the debate. Whilst on the other side, we have Skinner, the pioneer in the nurture debate. Both have equally interesting concepts I wish to incorporate into my exam responses, as seen in this piece here.

NATURE is awesome. yay nature.
The main argument for the nature debate is that we have found a genome in our DNA that is specifially linked to speech. Known as the "Fox P2" gene, it directly shapes our ability to talk. This was proven further by an extended family, all with a very severe language impairment. Known as the KE Family, they prove that the Fox P2 gene is a crucial part of language, as they are lacking in this gene, therefore causing speech problems.

As well as this, we have Jean Berko's work into language acquisition as further evidence for the nature side of the debate. Berko's "Wug Test" is a well known study into language change, where Berko has created a group of nonsense words, and then tests children on their acquisition of the plural and other inflectional morphemes.

Berko's test showed that children have productive rules: they don’t learn by hearing every possible form (they hadn’t heard ‘wugs’ due to it being an invented word) but by applying linguistic rules that they subconsciously know. Although the derivation of these rules is not addressed by Berko, 'The Wug Test' could provide possible evidence for Chomsky's theory of 'Universal Grammar'.

Finally, we have the pioneer of Language Acquisition; Noam Chomsky. Known for creating the "Language Acquisition Device", which suggests that we are biologically programmed to acquire language, which explains why Deaf babies still babble, and why the Wug Text is still relevant. See here for more scripts backing up Chomsky's ideas.

NURTURE
This side of the debate suggests that children are empty vessels when born, and your care givers provide your language. This idea was initially suggested by B.F Skinner, and he then goes on to say through the uses of positive re-enforcement, children are encouraged to continue speaking.

MAJOR NURTURE CRITICISM:
Children Produce language that isn't heard or taught. If Care Givers didn't provide this language, then how did they come by this?