Introduction
Language constitutes an essential part of human development and is one of the most critical aspects of human ability that sets us apart from animals. Linguists and psychologists have long debated the origins of human language acquisition, hence, have presented a range of explanations. Although biological, environmental, and interactionist theories offer contradictory perspectives on language development, all views agree that language learning is significantly influenced by nurture and nature.
Biological Influence
Proponents of biological explanations of language acquisition argue that humans’ ability to speak and understand language derives from humans’ innate natural structure. Namely, they state that humans possess a particular “vocal apparatus and nervous system with certain capabilities” (Santrock, 2011, p. 169). Specifically, there are certain parts of the brain, such as “Broca’s area” and “Wernicke’s area” that are involved in producing words and language comprehension, respectively (Santrock, 2011, p. 169).
Prominent linguist Noam Chomsky argued that humans have a “Language Acquisition Device” (LAD), which allows humans a natural ability to understand others and organize the language that we hear (Chomsky, 1957 as cited in Santrock, 2011, p. 169). Hence, a substantial number of scholars believe that biological structure serves as the primary basis for the language acquisition skills of humans.
Environmental Influence
Behaviorists argue that language is a complex skill that is learned and shaped due to environmental factors. The child’s language acquisition is significantly influenced by “the support and involvement of caregivers and teachers” (Snow & Yang, 2006 as cited in Santrock, 2011, p. 170). Socio-economic factors and maternal literacy skills also play a significant role in determining the children’s linguistic development. Although this approach has been criticized for not addressing the gaps in explanation, such as what explains the ability of humans to construct long sentences, it remains one of the predominant theories of language acquisition.
Interactionist Influence
Another major theory is the interactionist view which recognizes the contribution of both biological and environmental influences. On the one hand, humans’ genetic, and physical structures allow them to speak more advanced languages. As Santrock (2011) writes, no matter how much one would try, it is impossible to teach a dog to speak. On the other hand, environmental factors such as parents paying attention to their children’s language development significantly influence the level of linguistic development (Santrock, 2011). Thus, the interactionist view emphasizes that biological and environmental explanations are valid and play a critical role in language development.
Reference
Santrock, J. W. (2011). Life-span development (13th ed.). McGraw-Hill.