Bahasa Manusia dan Pemerolehannya (Teori Behaviorisme VS Nativisme)

Summary

In this video, the speaker explains the concepts of language acquisition and language learning, differentiating between the two processes. Language acquisition is a natural, unconscious process through which children learn their first language, while language learning involves formal education. The video also explores two major linguistic theories: behaviorism, which views language learning as shaped by the environment, and nativism, which believes that humans have an innate ability to acquire language. Both theories are discussed with real-world examples, emphasizing the importance of exposure to language for effective learning.

Takeaways

• 😀 Language acquisition occurs naturally as children learn their mother tongue without formal instruction, influenced by their environment.
• 😀 Language learning, in contrast, is a formal process that involves intentional study of a second or foreign language, usually in a classroom setting.
• 😀 Children will acquire the language spoken in their immediate surroundings, such as a local dialect or language, which becomes their first language (mother tongue).
• 😀 The importance of parents speaking with children at an early age to help them naturally acquire their mother tongue is emphasized.
• 😀 Environmental factors play a critical role in language acquisition—children in different environments will acquire different languages.
• 😀 The behaviorist theory of language acquisition suggests that children are born with a 'blank slate' (tabula rasa) and learn language through interaction with their environment.
• 😀 Skinner's behaviorist theory includes the idea of 'operant conditioning,' where responses to stimuli are reinforced through rewards or punishments.
• 😀 Repetition and practice are crucial for language learning—repeating new language helps in acquiring proficiency.
• 😀 Chomsky's nativist theory argues that children are born with an inherent ability (language acquisition device, LAD) to learn language, which is universal across all humans.
• 😀 According to Chomsky, language acquisition is not simply a learned behavior, but a biological process that humans are equipped for, differing significantly from animals like rats used in Skinner's experiments.
• 😀 While nativism is closer to the truth, behaviorism also has its place, as real-life examples show that isolated children without exposure to language cannot learn it naturally.

Q & A

What is the difference between language acquisition and language learning?

Language acquisition refers to the natural, subconscious process of learning a language, typically occurring during childhood as children learn their mother tongue. Language learning, on the other hand, is a more formal, conscious process that occurs in structured settings, such as classrooms, where an individual actively learns a second or third language.

How does the environment influence language acquisition?

According to the behaviorist theory, the environment plays a significant role in language acquisition. Children learn language naturally by interacting with their surroundings. If a child is in an environment where a particular language is spoken, they will naturally acquire that language.

Why is it important for parents to speak to their children in their mother tongue?

Speaking to children in their mother tongue is important because it helps them acquire their first language naturally. This process is crucial for the child's language development, and it ensures the preservation of local languages, which may otherwise disappear if not passed down to younger generations.

What is the behaviorist theory of language acquisition?

The behaviorist theory, proposed by B.F. Skinner, suggests that language acquisition is influenced by the environment. Children are born with a 'tabula rasa' or a blank slate, and their language skills are shaped through exposure to stimuli and the responses they make to those stimuli. Learning occurs through repetition and reinforcement.

How does the theory of operant conditioning relate to language acquisition?

Operant conditioning, as demonstrated by B.F. Skinner's experiments with animals, suggests that learning happens through reinforcement. In language acquisition, children learn language by responding to external stimuli, such as speaking and receiving feedback (e.g., praise or correction) from their caregivers.

What is the nativist theory of language acquisition?

The nativist theory, championed by Noam Chomsky, argues that humans are biologically equipped with an inherent ability to acquire language. According to this theory, language acquisition is not solely dependent on the environment but rather on an innate mechanism in the brain, known as the Language Acquisition Device (LAD).

How does Noam Chomsky's view on language acquisition differ from Skinner's?

Chomsky rejected Skinner's behaviorist view, arguing that language acquisition is not solely a result of environmental influences. Instead, he proposed that humans have an inborn capacity for language, which is activated when children are exposed to language. Chomsky believed that language is a universal feature of human nature and not a learned behavior.

What role does repetition play in language learning, according to behaviorism?

In behaviorism, repetition is key to language learning. The more a learner practices and repeats language patterns, the more likely they are to internalize them. This process of repetition helps to reinforce correct language use and establish linguistic habits.

What is the 'Language Acquisition Device' (LAD)?

The Language Acquisition Device (LAD) is a hypothetical mental mechanism proposed by Noam Chomsky that allows humans to naturally acquire language. It is believed that every child is born with this innate tool, which helps them learn any language they are exposed to.

Why do children in isolated environments struggle to acquire language?

Children in isolated environments, such as those raised by animals or without exposure to human language, fail to acquire language because their LAD cannot function without input from the surrounding environment. The lack of linguistic stimuli prevents the activation of the innate language acquisition mechanism.