Chomsky promulgates the theory of:
The Language Acquisition Device (LAD)
· From the LAD develops a formal grammar with a finite set of rules shared
by all speakers of the language. Most of these rules were acquired by 5
years of age.
· From the formal grammar an infinite number of sentences can be generated.
· Proponents of the Linguistic Induction theory support this view by noting
the lack of an observable direct link between language input and out put, or
a relationship between teaching (corrections) and performance.
· In addition, the similarity of patterns of grammatical development between
cultures suggests to them a major role for genetic factor.
· Children simply understand more about language than can be accounted for
by the sum of their limited language experiences.
He suggests that LAD is innate and much early communication is via the
mother in the earlier stages who, much in the way that a mother might chew
food to make it digestible to the baby will also simplify language to make
it more accessible to the baby/infant.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Colin dewar" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2003 6:55 PM
Subject: Re: newsub/self-indulgent


> Bob,
>
> Human aptitude for language (general aptitude and not mine in particular)
is
> amazing. It is easy to pick up all kinds of speech structures and then
find
> out afterwards what they are. So how did the brain know if it didn't know?
>
> Colin
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Bob Cooper" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2003 11:08 AM
> Subject: Re: newsub/self-indulgent
>
>
> > Hi Colin,
> > Like all of what's here. The poem and the comments. Softly hits a soft
> bit,
> > I guess...
> > And ain't the way children grasp and use their new skills at language
> > amazing! Poets every one with how words combine for them, flow from
them,
> > the music of so much of what they say!
> > Bob
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > >From: Colin dewar <[log in to unmask]>
> > >Reply-To: The Pennine Poetry Works <[log in to unmask]>
> > >To: [log in to unmask]
> > >Subject: newsub/self-indulgent
> > >Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2003 20:51:36 +0100
> > >
> > >New Born Child
> > >
> > >"Self-indulgent as a baby,"
> > >the phrase that comes to mind
> > >with my daughter's head
> > >cradled on my palm,
> > >loving not my hand,
> > >only the heat it gives
> > >after feeding and sleeping.
> > >
> > >Two days old-
> > >little id- I love her still
> > >as I might love an unfledged bird
> > >that will become beautiful one day
> > >and fly away from me.
> > >
> > >____________________________________
> > >
> > >
> > >That wee kid is making up little poems of her own now:
> > >
> > >I'm five years old and I make no fuss
> > >and my brother does all the things he's told.
> > >
> > >-
> > >
> > >I have little brother
> > >and he is a little bother.
> > >
> > >-
> > >
> > >The birds on the trees are happy as can be,
> > >twittering like thunder and shining like the sun.
> > >
> > >-
> > >
> > >I'm not boisterous
> > >I'm girlstrous
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >  She'll overtake the old man in no time.
> >
> >
> > _________________________________________________________________
> > Use MSN Messenger to send music and pics to your friends
> > http://www.msn.co.uk/messenger
> >
> >