First Language Acquisition: How does
it work?
First language acquisition is the
process whereby children acquire their first languages. All children given a
normal developmental environment can acquire a native language fluently and efficiently.
Children may acquire one or more languages based on the environment and
exposure that they have in their early years. The advantage that children have
is that they obtain a language naturally without having to learn and memorize long
grammatical sequences. Children take baby steps in terms of language acquisition.
First they start off by cooing and making sounds. Then they progress by trying
to formulate small words or trying to reproduce what they understand to be a
word such as saying da-da when it was daddy. As the baby grows older and goes
to school he begins to internalize the language. He internalizes grammar, expands his vocabulary and improves his
communication skills. However, some may
wonder how this is possible that a young child can learn with such speed a new
language. There are some theories behind this modern miracle.
Some
linguists believe that this innate ability stems from what is known as tabula
rosa. What this means is that
children are born with a clean slate linguistically. They have no fears, preconceived
notions about the world or language. This facilitates the learning process
because in a sense they become sponges that absorb any information given to
them. However, while some tend to believe tabula rasa, there are many
approaches and theories one of which is the behavioristic approach. This
approach was widely regarded by the behaviorist B.F. Skinner whose
classic work entitled Verbal Behavior refers
to being conditioned based on a response or operant. The response can either be verbal or non-verbal. That
operant is then maintained by reinforcement. A common example which occurs in
children is when a child says “want juice”. The parent then provides juice and
this response is learned and reinforced when each time the child says that
phrase they obtain juice. On the other hand, when the child receives a negative
response or punishment the operant can be diminished or completely eliminated.
Example being when a child says a bad word, they will stop saying it when
receiving a reprimand. However, this is not the only approach that can be
looked at; there is also the Nativist Approach.
Chomsky promoted the idea of a nativist approach. This
approach derives from the assertion that language acquisition is innate. There is a “little black box”
within all of us that gives us that ability to learn a language. The Nativist
approach states that we all have a genetic capacity to learn. This according to
Chomsky explains why children can
absorb a language in such a relatively short period of time. A key point to
remember is that language learning in a child is systematic. That means that instead of learning fewer and fewer
mistakes, they add on to what they know. They are constantly forming ideas,
hypothesis and thoughts in the process. The input that the child receives is key at this state. They will be
receiving and absorbing information a record speed for that reason it is key that
they are in constant contact with information. In addition the information they
receive, imitation in this case is a sincere form of flattery. Imitation is what
will aid children entertaining new information and repeating it assists greatly
in learning a language.
So, the next time that you see a child being to learn
how to communicate remember there are whole thought processes, approaches and
studies behind what he/she is doing!
Glossary:
The highlighted words that
appeared in the article above are included in the glossary below:
v
B.F. Skinner: Was an author and behaviorist that discovered many
theories related to behavior. He famously invented the operant conditioning
chamber.
v
Behavioristic approach: states that all behavior is learned and unlearned.
Behaviors can be replaced with others that are seen as fit.
v
Chomsky: Noam Chompsky is a famous author, professor among
other things. He is regarded as the “father of modern linguistics” as his
studies have proved valuable in the area of language learning.
v
Innate: Factors that are present in individuals from the moment
of birth.
v
Input: The act
of acquiring or “putting in” information in this case being the act of
obtaining additional knowledge.
v
Internalize: To
incorporate within the self as conscious or unconscious information.
v
Nativist Approach: Deals
with the belief that language is an innate feature of an infant.
v
Operant: Is a type
of learning in which a learners behavior is modified by consequences.
v
Systematic: A
coherent body of ideas.
v
Tabula Rosa: Individuals
are born without built in knowledge or experiences.
