Question

Language-Classic theories of language acquisition include biological and environmental influences of language development.
Which side would you take and why?

Answer 1

Language is one of the most influential and interesting areas of study as language is closely related to two of the most important human cognitive functions- thinking and communication. There are mainly two kinds of theories which puts forward certain opinions about language acquisition. According to biological perspective, there is an innate framework or mechanism which makes the child knowledgeable about the grammar and important syntaxes right from birth and it is just the work of the child to gradually learn to incorporate the words ans phrases of his or her language in those innately acquired frameworks. This concept is also known as 'Universal grammer' by Chomsky.

According to environmental perspective, children acquire language through trial and error and through reinforcement. Thus, when some words leads to some favourable or wanted actions, these words are acquired and stored in the cognitive dictionary and is used to get those early actions happen.

It is very tough to choose a side as both sides have their unique and pretty valid opinions. Being said that I will go with the biological perspective as in order to learn a huge array of words and phrases, there need to be some innate internal mechanism or framework already acquired by the child since birth which helps him or her in learning the words in proper ways. Thus, I guess this framework helps in aquisition of further language and thus, biological perspective is something I believe in and that side I will take.