Behaviorism is a psychological theory that emphasizes the role of

environmental stimuli in shaping observable behavior. When applied to L1

(First Language) Acquisition, behaviorism suggests that language
learning is primarily a result of imitation, reinforcement, and habit formation.
Below are the key points of behaviorism in L1 acquisition theory:

Key Points of Behaviorism in L1 Acquisition

1. Language Learning as Habit Formation:
• Behaviorists believe that first language acquisition is a process of
forming habits. Children learn language by repeatedly hearing words and
sentences and associating them with specific situations.
2. Role of Stimulus and Response:
• Language learning is driven by the stimulus-response mechanism:
• Stimulus: External language input (e.g., a parent saying
“apple”).
• Response: The child attempts to mimic or respond to the
stimulus (e.g., repeating “apple”).
• Correct responses are reinforced, while incorrect responses are
discouraged.
3. Imitation:
• Imitation is a primary mechanism in learning the first language.
Children mimic the sounds, words, and sentences they hear from their
caregivers or others in their environment.
4. Reinforcement:
• Positive reinforcement strengthens correct language use.
• Example: A child says “milk,” and the parent smiles, praises, or
provides milk. This reinforcement encourages the child to repeat the
word.
• Negative reinforcement may also occur when incorrect utterances are
ignored or corrected.
5. Repetition:
• Repetition and practice are essential for habit formation. Children hear
and repeat words and phrases until they become automatic.
6. Role of Environment:
• The environment plays a central role in language learning. Children’s
exposure to language-rich settings determines the quality and quantity
of linguistic input they receive.
7. Operant Conditioning (Skinner):
 • B.F. Skinner, a key proponent of behaviorism, proposed that operant
conditioning explains language acquisition:
• Language behaviors are shaped by reinforcement or punishment.
• Example: A child learns to say “please” because it is rewarded
with attention or a desired object.
8. No Innate Language Abilities:
• Behaviorism rejects the notion of innate linguistic capabilities (as
proposed by Noam Chomsky). Instead, all language learning is attributed
to external influences and conditioning.

Critiques of Behaviorism in L1 Acquisition

While behaviorism was a dominant theory in the early 20th century, it has
faced significant criticism:
• Lack of Explanation for Creativity: Behaviorism cannot fully explain
how children produce novel sentences they have never heard before.
• Insufficient for Grammar Learning: The theory does not account for
the acquisition of complex grammatical rules.
• Limited Role of Reinforcement: Studies have shown that
reinforcement is not always necessary for language learning, as children
often acquire language naturally without systematic correction or rewards.

Examples of Behaviorism in Action

• A parent teaches a child to say “thank you” by consistently modeling
the phrase and rewarding its use with praise.
• A toddler learns the word “dog” by repeatedly hearing it in reference to
a pet and imitating its use.

Behaviorism provides foundational insights into the role of environmental

stimuli in language learning, but modern linguistics often integrates cognitive
and sociocultural perspectives for a more comprehensive understanding.

Noam Chomsky’s Language Acquisition Theory revolutionized the field of

linguistics by proposing that humans are biologically predisposed to acquire
language. His theory, often referred to as Universal Grammar (UG) or the
Nativist Theory, highlights the innate mechanisms that facilitate language
learning. Below are the key points of Chomsky’s Language Acquisition
Theory:

Key Points of Chomsky’s Language Acquisition Theory

1. Language Acquisition Device (LAD):
• Chomsky proposed that humans possess an innate mechanism called
the Language Acquisition Device (LAD), which enables them to
acquire and understand language.
• The LAD is a mental structure that contains universal principles and
grammatical rules applicable to all languages.
2. Universal Grammar (UG):
• All humans are born with a set of universal linguistic principles called
Universal Grammar.
• UG includes basic rules common to all languages (e.g., the concept of
nouns and verbs).
• Differences among languages are explained by parameter settings
within UG that are adjusted based on linguistic input.
3. Innateness Hypothesis:
• Chomsky argued that language ability is innate and genetically
programmed. Humans are born with the capacity to acquire language,
regardless of their specific linguistic environment.
4. Critical Period Hypothesis:
• Chomsky’s theory implies that there is a critical period for language
acquisition, typically during early childhood.
• During this period, the brain is most receptive to linguistic input and
capable of acquiring a first language effortlessly.
5. Generative Grammar:
• Chomsky introduced the concept of generative grammar, which
refers to a finite set of rules that can generate an infinite number of
sentences.
• This explains why humans can produce and understand sentences they
have never heard before.
6. Poverty of Stimulus Argument:
• Chomsky argued that the linguistic input children receive is insufficient
(or “impoverished”) to fully explain the complexity of language they
acquire.
• Despite this, children quickly learn complex grammatical rules, which
supports the idea of an innate linguistic ability.
7. Rejection of Behaviorism:
• Chomsky rejected Behaviorism (Skinner’s idea that language is
learned through imitation and reinforcement), arguing that children do
not simply mimic adults but actively construct language based on innate
principles.
8. Focus on Syntax:
 • Chomsky emphasized syntax (sentence structure) as the core of
language acquisition.
• He argued that understanding language involves recognizing abstract
syntactic structures, not just memorizing words or phrases.
9. Language as a Unique Human Trait:
• Chomsky maintained that language is unique to humans and cannot be
fully explained by general cognitive processes or learning mechanisms
seen in other species.
10. Minimal Input Requirement:
• Only minimal exposure to language is necessary for children to acquire
it. For example, even in impoverished linguistic environments, children
develop grammatically correct language.

Examples Supporting Chomsky’s Theory

• Children’s Novel Sentences: A child may produce grammatically
correct sentences they have never heard before, such as “The cat who is
sleeping is dreaming of fish.”
• Errors Indicating Rules: Children often make errors like “goed”
instead of “went,” which suggests they apply internalized grammatical
rules rather than relying solely on imitation.

Critiques of Chomsky’s Theory

1. Lack of Empirical Evidence for LAD and UG: The existence of a
specific LAD has not been conclusively proven.
2. Role of Environment: Critics argue that Chomsky underestimates the
role of environmental input and social interaction in language acquisition.
3. Complexity of UG: Universal Grammar has been criticized for being
overly abstract and difficult to verify empirically.

Conclusion

Chomsky’s theory transformed the understanding of language acquisition by

focusing on innate abilities rather than external reinforcement. Although it
has faced criticism and evolved over time, his ideas continue to influence
linguistics, psychology, and cognitive science.

Let me know if you’d like a comparison with other theories like behaviorism
or sociocultural theory!