Language Acquisition and the Interactionist Approach

Michael Corayer discusses the critical period for language acquisition, emphasizing the interactionist approach that combines genetic predisposition and social environment. He introduces Jerome Bruner's language acquisition support system, contrasting it with Chomsky's language acquisition device. The video highlights the role of caregiver talk and presents a case study from Nicaragua, where deaf children developed a new sign language, illustrating the importance of social interaction in language development.

What is the critical period for language acquisition?

• Before age 12

• Before age 10

• Before age 7

• Before age 5

Which approach emphasizes the role of both genetic predisposition and social environment in language acquisition?

• Nativist approach

• Cognitive approach

• Behaviorist approach

• Interactionist approach

What does Jerome Bruner's language acquisition support system emphasize?

• Genetic predisposition alone

• Social environment features

• Innate language device

• Vocabulary memorization

What is the main difference between Chomsky's and Bruner's theories?

• Chomsky focuses on social environment, Bruner on genetics

• Chomsky focuses on genetics, Bruner on social environment

• Both focus on social environment

• Both focus on genetics

How do adults typically modify their speech when talking to children?

• They use slang

• They use mother-ease or caregiver talk

• They speak faster

• They use more complex vocabulary

What is a common feature of language interaction across different cultures?

• Adults speak to children as they do to other adults

• Adults use mother-ease or caregiver talk

• Adults avoid speaking to children

• Adults use complex language with children

What was the goal of the new deaf school in Managua?

• To teach mathematics

• To teach a formal sign language

• To teach spoken language

• To teach children to read

What did the children in the Nicaraguan deaf school do when the formal sign language was too slow?

• They stopped communicating

• They waited patiently

• They invented their own sign language

• They learned another language

What does the Nicaraguan case study demonstrate about language development?

• Genetic predisposition is the only factor

• Language can develop without social interaction

• Language development is random

• Social environment is crucial for language emergence

What is the significance of the critical period in the Nicaraguan case study?

• Age was not a factor in language development

• All children developed fluency regardless of age

• Children under age 7 developed full fluency

• Children over age 7 developed full fluency