THEME: LANGUAGE ACQUISITION THEORIES
Keywords:
Language acquisition, behaviorist theory, nativist theory, cognitive theory, social interactionist theory, Noam Chomsky, B.F. Skinner, Jean Piaget, Lev Vygotsky, bilingualism, critical period hypothesis, Universal Grammar, connectionism, usage-based theory, second-language acquisition, linguistic development.Abstract
This article provides a comprehensive overview of language acquisition theories, including behaviorist, nativist, cognitive, and social interactionist perspectives. It discusses key figures such as Skinner, Chomsky, Piaget, and Vygotsky, highlighting their contributions to our understanding of how language is learned. The article also explores contemporary research, including connectionist and usage-based models, as well as bilingual acquisition and the critical period hypothesis. By integrating insights from multiple disciplines, the discussion emphasizes the complexity of language learning and its implications for cognitive science, linguistics, and education.
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