By Noam Chomsky

1. Language acquisition
device (LAD) / Universal
Grammar (UG)
by Noam Chomsky
Alanoud Alenzi Lamya Aljohani Raghad Alshahrani
Lama Alshajri Raedah Alenzi

2. We will be discussing Chomsky’s theory as
follows:
▪ What is Chomsky’s view on First language acquisition ?
▪ What is Language Acquisition device ?
▪ How does the language acquisition device works ?
▪ Evidences on Universal Grammar
▪ Limitations on Chomsky’s theory

3. Noam Chomsky
▪ Avram Noam Chomsky was born in
Philadelphia on December 7, 1928.
▪ An American linguist, philosopher,
cognitive scientist, historian, social critic,
political activist.
▪ Sometimes described as the father of
modern linguistics.
▪ One of his accomplishments is that he
developed the theory of universal
grammar.
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4. What is Chomsky’s view on First language
acquisition ? What is language acquisition
device ?
▪ Chomsky's point of view emerged the environment works only
as an trigger for language development and not as a key factor
for language acquisition.
▪ He also suggested that all humans are born with a language
acquisition device is a device that generates grammar and
process parts of a language into a coherent system.
▪ The language acquisition device consists of:
UG= a set of the principles and properties that characterize the
grammar of all human languages.

5. How does the LAD works ?
▪ There is an input (which is the language in
the child’s environment) that triggers the
LAD including the UG, thus comes the
output which is similar to the input.

6. poverty of the stimulus means:
When children listen to words, they can not build
sentences properly grammatically correct by him
because it is not enough, but they must learn
directly such as learning to read, write and
arrange words and actions sentences listening
alone is not enough.

7. There are some evidences of UG proves
Chomsky’s theory:
▪ Shows that children have the ability to recognize
sounds in early time and it may fade if the sound
contrast not used in the Child’s environment.
▪ Children in fact are "prewired" to acquire a language.
According to the similarities of developmental stages at
similar times.

8. One of the Limitations of Chomsky’s
Theory:
▪ The UG view of Chomsky, focuses on
interaction between the child and his
social network more than the role of his
environment.

9. Critics of Chomsky’s theory:
In our view:
▪ We agree with
Chomsky’s theory that
has a reasonable point
to explain language
acquisition. However, the
social interaction (which
has an important role in
language acquisition)
was neglected.
In scientists view:
▪ Linguistically, It is only
concerned with syntax.
▪ Also, it is only focused
on grammar construction
and neglected the social
and psychological
variables.

10. References:
▪ Kirsten M. Hummel. (2013). Introducing second
language acquisition: Perspectives and Practices.