Language and the Mind Prof. R. Hickey SS 2006

Linguistic Theory andLanguage Acquisition

Claudia Berger (LN, GS)Günther Milbradt (LN, HS)

Structure of the Presentation

1. The debate about reality

2. Chomsky‘s Universal Grammar

3. Empiricist Models of Language Acquisition

4. Conclusion

1. The Debate about “Reality“

- Core-problem: “Is there an objective reality, or do we make our actual world after our own experiences and/or distinctions?“

- Transferred to the question of langauge acquisition:

1. Language is a thing innate by birth and thus objective. A child uncovers it over time in whatever way.

2. Language is acquired by a child via hearing and imitating the language around.

Chomsky’s Universal Grammar

- All particular grammars are properties of Universal Grammar

- UG is located in the language faculty

- The uncovering of a particular grammar is totally independent of intelligence, logic, or reason

Chomsky’s Universal Grammar

Why postulate a Universal Grammar?

- Inadequacy of Input

- Poverty of Stimulus

- We all learn the same concepts

- Similarity between languages

- Logical Problem of language acquisition

Chomsky’s Universal Grammar

Parameters and Principles

- Principles: hard-wired layers of UG

- Parameters: partially-wired, modular layers of UG, the modules of which are fixed by experience

→ Huge leap towards empiricism

Objections to Universal Grammar

- Computer Model of the Mind

- Steinberg (1993): “… UG seems to simply serve as a filing cabinet for problems which are filed away for later consideration and then forgotten.”

- But: Chomsky himself describes UG as heuristic

Empiricism – the Basic Concepts

- Learning language via general cognition/intelligence

- Language and intellect develop side by side

Empiricism – the Process Image

- Language as a tool of achieving aims

- Similar needs lead to similar grammar

- Children as sociable beings

Objections against Empiricism

- Expressing similar needs does not require a similar structure of speech

- Example “John”: not sociable, but uses language for himself

- Example “Laura”: Mentally disabled, but brilliant, but can express her feelings via poetry

Conclusion

- Neither Empiricists, nor Rationalists can explain language acquisition without problems

- There must be a “disposition” to learn language, but whether it is empirical or realist, is unanswerable so far

That’s all.

Thank You for Your attention.

References Aitchison, Jean (1998): The Articulate Mammal. An Introduction to

Psycholinguistics, LondonChomsky, Noam (1986): Knowledge of Language. Its Nature, Origin, and Use, WestportChomsky, Noam (1988): Language and Problems of Knowledge, Cambridge/LondonChomsky, Noam (2002): On Nature and Language, edited by Belletti, A. & Rizzi, L., CambridgeHirschberger, Johannes (1980): Geschichte der Philosophie, 2 Vol., FreiburgLust, Barbara/Foley, Claire (ed.) (2004): First Language Acquisition. The Essential Readings, Oxford et al.Steinberg, Danny D. (1993): Introduction to Psycholinguistics, New York