Language Acquisition

According to the video, what did American linguist Noam Chomsky propose as a reason for children's ability to generate complex grammatical sentences?

• Inborn structures in the brain

• Intensive language training

• Advanced technology assistance

• Genetic modification

What did John Locke and other empiricists argue about the mind?

• It is a mystery beyond comprehension

• It is incapable of language acquisition

• It is pre-programmed with knowledge

• It is a blank slate written by experience

What did Plato believe about innate ideas?

• We are born knowing things

• We learn everything from experience

• Innate ideas are a myth

• Innate ideas are harmful

What term did Noam Chomsky use to describe the natural propensity to organize spoken language in various grammatical ways?

• Language acquisition device (L)

• Universal grammar tool

• Language structure organizer

• Grammar generator device

What did the video suggest is hardwired as a kind of Universal grammar?

You can add two words

What sets humans apart from other animals according to the the video

Who is the American linguist mentioned in the video, and what was his contribution to the debate on language acquisition?

Answer explanation

The American linguist mentioned is Noam Chomsky, who contributed to the debate on language acquisition by proposing the theory of Universal Grammar, suggesting that the ability to acquire language is innate to humans.

Why does Chomsky believe language structure is hardwired into our brains?

Answer explanation

Chomsky argues that the universal grammar underlying all languages is innate, suggesting that humans are biologically predisposed to acquire language, which is why language structure is hardwired into our brains.

What would happen if we did not have the language acquisition device, according to Chomsky?

Answer explanation

Without the language acquisition device, Chomsky argues that humans would struggle to learn language naturally, as this innate mechanism is essential for understanding and producing complex linguistic structures.

What does the phrase 'our slates have been written on before we emerged from the womb' imply?

Answer explanation

The phrase implies that our identities and experiences are shaped by external influences even before birth, suggesting that our paths are predetermined by societal and familial factors.