Universal Grammar Overview video

Summary

Noam Chomsky's Universal Grammar theory posits an innate language acquisition device in the human brain, shaped by universal principles and parameters that dictate the structure of all human languages. Challenging behaviorist views, Chomsky observed children's creative language use and resistance to correction, suggesting a subconscious linguistic competence. Principles ensure structural similarities across languages, while parameters, like branching direction, account for differences. This theory also explains the development of pidgin and Creole languages, reinforcing the idea of an innate capacity for language.

Takeaways

• 📚 Universal Grammar, also known as generative linguistics, is a concept popularized by Noam Chomsky, emphasizing the innate capacities of the human mind for language learning.
• 🧠 Chomsky's theory is an innatist approach, contrasting with the behavioralist approach that views language acquisition as habit formation through stimulus-response mechanisms.
• 👶 Chomsky challenged the behavioralist view by observing that children often invent novel phrases and do not always correct their language use based on adult feedback, indicating a more complex cognitive process.
• 🌐 Principles of Universal Grammar suggest that all human languages share a common structure, such as the presence of noun and verb phrases, reflecting limited variation among languages.
• 🔧 Parameters within Universal Grammar account for the differences between languages, such as the head parameter determining whether a language is right- or left-branching.
• 👶🏻 Children's language development, or 'interlanguage,' is systematic and subconscious, guided by an internal understanding of language rules, which Chomsky attributes to the brain's innate structure.
• 🧩 The brain is thought to have 'switches' for language parameters that are set based on the linguistic input received during early childhood, influencing sentence construction.
• 🚫 The critical period hypothesis, related to Universal Grammar, posits that without timely linguistic input, the brain may not set these parameters correctly, affecting language acquisition.
• 🔑 Functional components of language are a closed class, closely tied to the language acquisition device, while lexical items are an open class, allowing for continuous vocabulary growth.
• 🌱 Pidgin languages, which emerge among adults in communication breakdowns, follow the rules of Universal Grammar, suggesting the theory's applicability even in non-standard language development.
• 🌟 Chomsky is considered the father of modern linguistics, and his theory of Universal Grammar has been influential in understanding the human capacity for language, despite some challenges to the view.

Q & A

What is the concept of Universal Grammar?

Universal Grammar, also known as generative linguistics, is a theory proposed by Noam Chomsky that suggests humans are born with an innate capacity to learn and understand language, which is related to the genetic makeup and innate capacities of our minds.

How does Universal Grammar differ from the behavioralist approach to language acquisition?

The behavioralist approach views language acquisition as habit formation through stimulus-response relationships and reinforcement. In contrast, Universal Grammar posits that language acquisition involves more than just imitation and includes an innate capacity for generating sentences and understanding grammar.

What did Chomsky observe about children's language development that challenged the behavioralist approach?

Chomsky observed that children often create novel sentences and phrases, and do not always correct their language errors even after being corrected by adults, indicating that language acquisition involves more than simple imitation and reinforcement.

What is the term used to describe the systematic development of a child's language?

The systematic development of a child's language is referred to as 'interlanguage,' which represents the internal, subconscious understanding or theory of how the grammar of a language works.

What are the two key concepts Chomsky introduced to explain Universal Grammar?

The two key concepts Chomsky introduced are 'principles' and 'parameters.' Principles are universal aspects of language that are consistent across all human languages, while parameters account for the variations between languages.

Can you provide an example of a principle in Universal Grammar?

An example of a principle in Universal Grammar is 'structure dependency,' which states that all languages have sentences composed of noun phrases and verb phrases.

What is the role of parameters in Universal Grammar?

Parameters in Universal Grammar determine the specific ways in which languages can vary. They act as 'switches' in the brain that get set based on the linguistic input a child receives, influencing how sentences are constructed in a particular language.

How does the concept of 'right-branching' and 'left-branching' languages relate to Universal Grammar?

The concept of 'right-branching' and 'left-branching' languages is an example of how parameters work in Universal Grammar. It explains how languages differ in the way they construct sentences, with English being a right-branching language and Japanese being a left-branching language.

What is the critical period hypothesis in relation to language acquisition?

The critical period hypothesis suggests that there is a specific time frame in a child's life during which language acquisition is most effective. If linguistic input is not received during this period, the brain may not set the appropriate parameters for language acquisition, affecting the individual's ability to learn a language.

How does Chomsky differentiate between the functional and lexical components of language?

According to Chomsky, the functional components of language, such as grammar and phonemes, are a closed class and are closely related to the language acquisition device. In contrast, lexical items, or vocabulary, are an open class that can be continually added to throughout a person's life.

What evidence supports the existence of Universal Grammar in newly formed languages like pidgins and creoles?

Pidgin languages, which emerge among adults in situations of limited communication, follow the rules of Universal Grammar, suggesting that the principles and parameters are innate. Creole languages, which are the formalized versions of pidgins developed by the second generation, further support the idea that Universal Grammar is a fundamental aspect of human language acquisition.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to Universal Grammar and Chomsky's Theory

This paragraph introduces the concept of Universal Grammar, also known as generative linguistics, which is an innate approach to language learning. Noam Chomsky is credited with popularizing this idea, which challenges the behavioralist view of language acquisition based on habit formation and stimulus-response mechanisms. Chomsky observed that children often create novel sentences and do not always correct their language use when reprimanded, suggesting an internal process at work. He proposed that children develop an 'interlanguage', an internal, subconscious understanding of grammar, which is guided by the brain's innate structure. Chomsky's theory of Universal Grammar posits that humans inherit a set of principles and parameters that shape the languages we can learn, making them inherently similar yet distinct.

05:01

🌟 Principles and Parameters in Universal Grammar

The second paragraph delves deeper into the principles and parameters that define Universal Grammar. Principles are universal features of language, such as structure dependency, which dictates that sentences are composed of noun and verb phrases. Parameters, on the other hand, account for the differences among languages, like the head parameter determining whether a language is right or left branching. The paragraph explains how the brain, equipped with these innate linguistic structures, adjusts its settings based on the language input it receives during early childhood. This process shapes the individual's language acquisition, emphasizing the importance of exposure during the critical period for language learning. The paragraph also touches on the distinction between functional components, which are fixed and related to the language acquisition device, and lexical items, which are open to continuous expansion throughout life.

10:04

🌱 The Role of Language Acquisition Device and Critical Period Hypothesis

The final paragraph discusses the language acquisition device, a concept central to Chomsky's theory, which suggests that the human brain is innately designed to learn languages. It highlights the early setting of linguistic parameters, possibly as early as 18 months of age, and the importance of input during this critical period. The paragraph also references the orders of acquisition, a sequence in which children learn different aspects of language, which supports the idea of an innate linguistic structure. It mentions the challenges to Chomsky's theory but concludes by emphasizing the significance of Universal Grammar in understanding how languages are acquired and developed, including the emergence of pidgin and creole languages, which also adhere to the principles of Universal Grammar.

Keywords

💡Universal Grammar

Universal Grammar, also known as generative grammar, is a theory proposed by Noam Chomsky that posits all human languages share a common underlying structure. It is foundational to the video's theme, illustrating the innate linguistic capabilities of the human mind. The script discusses how Universal Grammar is related to the genetic and innate capacities that shape language acquisition.

💡Generative Linguistics

Generative Linguistics is a subfield of linguistics that studies how language is generated and understood by the human mind, based on the principles of Universal Grammar. It is integral to the video's narrative, explaining how language is not merely learned through imitation but is generated through innate cognitive processes.

💡Innatist Approach

The Innatist Approach, as mentioned in the script, is the belief that the ability to acquire language is an innate human capacity. This concept is central to the video's message, challenging the behavioralist view that language is learned solely through environmental stimuli and reinforcement.

💡Behavioralist Approach

The Behavioralist Approach to language acquisition, as described in the script, suggests that language is learned through habit formation and stimulus-response mechanisms. It is contrasted with Chomsky's Innatist Approach, highlighting the debate over whether language is innate or learned.

💡Language Acquisition Device (LAD)

The Language Acquisition Device (LAD) is a theoretical construct in Chomsky's theory that represents the innate cognitive capacity for language learning. The script uses LAD to explain how children develop language systematically, even without direct correction.

💡Interlanguage

Interlanguage refers to the developing linguistic system of a second language learner. The script mentions it in the context of how children's language development is systematic and subconscious, leading to the formation of an internal understanding of language structure.

💡Principles and Parameters

Principles and Parameters are key components of Universal Grammar. The script explains that principles are universal aspects of language that do not vary, while parameters are variable settings that determine the specific characteristics of a language, like word order.

💡Head Parameter

The Head Parameter, as discussed in the script, is a specific aspect of Universal Grammar that determines whether a language is right-branching or left-branching, affecting the sentence construction direction. It exemplifies how parameters differentiate languages while adhering to universal principles.

💡Critical Period Hypothesis

The Critical Period Hypothesis, mentioned in the script, is the idea that there is an optimal period in a person's life for language acquisition. It is relevant to the video's theme, suggesting that without timely linguistic input, the brain may not set the parameters correctly, affecting language acquisition.

💡Functional Components

Functional Components in Chomsky's theory refer to the closed aspects of language, such as grammatical structures, that are closely tied to the language acquisition device. The script explains that these components are distinct from the open class of lexical items, which can be added to throughout life.

💡Pidgin and Creole Languages

Pidgin and Creole Languages, as mentioned in the script, are examples of new languages that emerge, initially among adults as simplified means of communication (pidgins) and later formalized by subsequent generations into more complex systems (creoles). The script uses these examples to argue for the existence of Universal Grammar, as even these new languages follow its rules.

Highlights

Noam Chomsky is the individual who popularized the concept of Universal Grammar.

Universal Grammar is also known as generative linguistics and is related to the innate capacities of our mind.

Chomsky challenged the behavioralist approach to language acquisition, which focuses on habit formation.

Language acquisition involves children creating new ways of saying things, not just simple imitation.

Children's language development is systematic and subconscious, forming an internal language understanding.

Universal Grammar suggests an inherited set of principles and parameters that shape human languages.

Principles of Universal Grammar indicate limited variations in language structures, such as structure dependency.

Parameters in Universal Grammar account for the differences between languages, like the head parameter.

The head parameter determines whether a language is right-branching or left-branching.

Brain's innate language acquisition device sets parameters based on input received during early childhood.

Critical period hypothesis suggests that without early input, language acquisition may be impaired.

Functional components of language are a closed class, while lexical items are an open class, allowing continuous vocabulary growth.

Pidgin languages, developed among adults, follow the rules of Universal Grammar, supporting its existence.

Creole languages evolve from pidgins and are formalized by the second generation.

Chomsky is often considered the father of modern linguistics, with a significant impact on the field.

The concept of Universal Grammar suggests an innate capacity in the human brain to learn languages.

Brown's research on orders of acquisition explains the consistent order in which children learn language components.

Transcripts

brief presentation my goal is to give

you a high level overview of the concept

of universal grammar and the individual

who popularized this concept is Noam

Chomsky and Universal grandma or grammar

is also known as generative Linguistics

and it's related really to the study of

genetics and the innate capacities of

our mind so sometimes you will hear this

also referred to as an innatist approach

to Linguistics at any rate No One Noam

Chomsky challenged the behavioralist

approach to first language acquisition

and in that approach language

acquisition is more about habit

formation

it is you get a stimulant stimulus

response type of relationship

and that if there's enough input and

positive and negative reinforcement then

a child or a person will imitate and

learn the first language or the second

language they're seeking to learn that's

kind of the behavioralist approach

um what Chomsky suggested is that

language acquisition is not simply a

matter of stimulus and response and as a

matter of fact when he observed children

um he noted that children are constantly

coming up with new ways of saying things

and as a matter of fact if you

um correct a child a lot of times they

will just keep saying the phrase the

wrong way even though they've never

heard anyone say it incorrectly before

so it shows that there's not just a

simple imitation going on here there's

something else going in the way the

child's learning to put together

language and then the fact that they're

not responding to rec correction

indicates that the behavioral strategy

isn't quite enough

interestingly these children eventually

end up learning the basic structures of

their first language and so somehow they

work out that incorrect component of

language or their language use across

time and it seems like it's something

going on in their brain that helps them

to do that so as children learn their

first language the language develops in

a kind of systematic way and that

developing language is what we sometimes

call inter language and the inner

language is that mental

um

understanding of how language works and

it is a kind of internally consistent

understanding or theory of how the

grammar of the language works and it's

not something that's conscious it's more

subconscious it's in the brain and it

and in chomsky's view it's related to

how the brain is wired to learn a

language so he came up with this concept

of universal grammar and Chomsky in this

idea suggests that all human beings

inherit a universal set of principles

and parameters that control

and shape human the shape that human

languages can take and which are what

make human languages similar to each

other so when you look at human

languages actually they're they're quite

similar but they're different and he

came up with two really important

Concepts to explain what's going on with

universal grammar and how we end up with

different languages and the first is

this idea of principles

and this is the idea that language is

actually actually vary in limited ways

and that there are some things that are

true of all human languages if you

compare all the languages in the world

you will discover for example that there

is something that linguists calls

structure dependency and this tells us

that all languages have sentences that

consist of noun phrases and verb phrases

there are other examples of principles

that that are known out there but

Chomsky also identified is that we have

this principle right that there are

there's structure dependency now there

are also parameters and the parameters

are the areas in which languages differ

so parameters tell us how languages are

different so for example there's a

parameter called the head parameter and

the head parameter then determines

whether a language will be a

right-branching language or a left

branching language and this is how

languages then become different

English is a right branching language

what that means is we build sentences to

the right so we say the woman who is

sitting over there is reading a book

right it's all the the sentence is

moving in the direction of the right

um

Japanese interestingly is constructed in

a reverse order so if the Japanese were

to say that exact sentence they would

say

um sitting over there the woman

is reading a book

and so they build it in kind of reverse

order and so that's what we mean by

right branching and left branching and

the way Universal grammar explains this

is the brain has the principle there

right that there is a kind of structure

dependency and then as a child starts to

receive input

and they receive the input from their

parents from people around them they're

receiving input even in the womb

and the Brain it's like they have the

brain has switches there and the Brain

identifies oh this language that I'm

receiving input for is a right branching

language so if you live in if your child

living in the U.S the um

the switch gets set to a right branching

language if you grow up in Japan the

switch gets set to a left branching

language and then the brain knows how to

construct sentences in that language and

it begins to to work that out the same

concept works with other parameters

within language we don't have time to

get into that at this point but that's

the idea of universal grammar that there

is this innate language acquisition

device built into our brains

all of there are all these Universal

principles that are there and then there

are these parameters which are kind of

like switches in the brain and as we

receive input then the brain knows which

way to set them that's the problem that

we discussed uh previously regarding

um the critical period hypothesis if you

don't get that input the brain doesn't

know how to switch those switch you know

how to set those switches and then it

doesn't know how to acquire the

functional part of language

that is a really important Concept in

Universal grammar so for Chomsky then

the functional components of language

are a closed class

in other words you can't add to them

and they're closely related to the

language acquisition device the

functional part is the grammatical

component it's the phonemes it's the

different sounds that we have and such

that we can hear and understand

and so that's why in the critical period

hypothesis then if you if you haven't

picked up certain sounds for example

like Japanese

um by the time they're uh six years old

they can't hear a difference between

Lake and rake for them the phone

phonemic difference between an l and an

R is set and so they can hear the

difference later but it um is they can't

hear it later they can figure it out

later based on context and then the same

is true with

um

the grammatical part so they know at

that early age oh this is a left

branching language or right branching

language

however

um even though functional components of

language are closed lexical items are

actually an Open Class and that means

that we can add vocabulary continually

throughout our lives and continue to

build that and that is separate in

chomsky's view then from the functional

part of language the last thing I wanted

to say here is that it is interesting

that

um

there are new languages that emerge

among adults and an example of that is a

pidgin language and there are some

situations in which people have moved

for example to the Caribbean islands and

they maybe they were brought there years

and years ago as slaves and when they

got there they couldn't communicate well

with their masters

and then they

they were separated and mixed together

so they couldn't really communicate with

people from their own language group so

they ended up creating a separate

language called a pidgin language and

when we look at these pidgin languages

pigeon languages are always developed

among first

um

um generation peoples but they seem to

actually follow these rules of universal

grammar it's kind of a

another proof I guess the universe

Universal grammar

um exists and then pigeons later this is

a little extra information but when the

second generation comes along they

formalize those they kind of fill out

those languages

um and they become what are called

Creole languages anyway that is a strong

argument the fact that they're even

pigeons are embedded in this kind of

concept of universal grammar that they

are indeed full languages in their whole

right so this is Noam chomsky's Theory

he's often known as the father of modern

Linguistics and he wouldn't use this

phrase because he's a bit of an

evolutionist but I will say the big idea

here is that God has designed the human

brain with the innate capacity to learn

languages I think this is really cool um

there are some challenges to this view

but the key ideas here are that we have

a language acquisition device

part of that are these principles that

are there for all languages and then

parameters are these switches where when

we get input as children they're set to

go right left or whatever the others

might be and those settings begin very

early in life as early as 18 months of

age and then we had previously discussed

this concept of orders of acquisition

and how there is this research by Brown

saying that when we learn the different

functional components of language we

actually learn them in a kind of set

order that too explains why it is that

children come up with these crazy

novel phrases and use words kind of

incorrectly but and we can't fix it we

might try to correct them but we can't

really correct them but somehow their

brain works it out across time and those

sequences show us that

there's a consistent order in which

children work those out and their brain

helps them work out

what the the target language is going to

look like this is the concept of

universal grammar I hope this was

helpful to you thanks