Chapter 2

first language
acquisition
Schools of thought in first language acquisition

Behaviorist Nativist Functional

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 the same as
behaviorist
1. Behaviorist position in SLA

• Only observable responses

• Ignorance of mind and thinking

Tabula rasa
when we are born, our mind
is like a blank slate!
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 Mediation Theory
A challenge to behaviorists

“Stimuli do not determine a response

or a specific behavior in human
beings”

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 The same as
Generative linguistics
and Cognitive
psychology in SLA

2. Nativist
We are born with a genetic capacity
to acquire a language.

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 LAD

Chomsky

“abstract black box in the brain”

Four innate linguistic properties in LAD

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 Four innate linguistic properties in LAD

Distinguish speech sounds

Organize linguistic data

In constant evaluation to
Knowledge of possible construct the simplest
linguistic Systems possible system.

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Universal Grammar Chomsky

“All humans are born with an innate ability to acquire,

develop, and understand language.”

It has two categories:

1. Principles: Those similar characteristics in languages.

2. Parameters: Those different characteristics in languages.

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Parallel Distributed Processing
(PDP)
Close to Connectionism
Neurons in the brain get attached
together to form multiple
connections.

Information is processed simultaneously at several levels

of attention.

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Emergentism Close to Nurture theory

The complexity of language emerges from

developmental processes being exposed to a
complex environment.

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 The same as
Constructivist view
in SLA

3. Functional
o Focuses on the language functions”

o Deals with cognition and social

interactions

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Competence: 1. Non-observable ability to do something
2. Abstract knowledge

Performance: 1. Observable
2. Actual use of the knowledge
3. Actual doing of something

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Comprehension (listening & reading) input

Production (writing & speaking) output

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 Nature
the same as nativist and focuses on innate knowledge
cognitive psychology of language.

Nurture
the same as constructivist focuses on environmental factors
and emergentist and social interactions in
language learning.

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Thank you!